²² Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not put forth your hands against him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands to return him to his father.

²⁶ And Judah said to his brothers, “What gain is it that we kill our brother and ^(A)cover up his blood? ^27 (B)Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened.

³⁴ But a Pharisee named ^(A)Gamaliel, a ^(B)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in ^(C)the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵ And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, ^(D)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. ^[a]But he was killed, and all who ^[b]were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of ^(E)the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who ^[c]were following him were scattered. ³⁸ So in the present case, I also say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or ^[d]action ^(F)is of men, it will be overthrown; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found ^(G)fighting against God.”