¹² “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to me.^{(A) 14} But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.^{(B) 15} For I will give you^(C) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils^(A) and be flogged in the synagogues.^{(B) 18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings^(C) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.^(D) At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father^(E) speaking through you.

¹¹ Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.^(A)