The Coming Persecution. ^12 (A)“Before all this happens,^[a] however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.^{(B) 13} It will lead to your giving testimony. ¹⁴ Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, ^15 (C)for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking^[b] that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

^17 [a]But beware of people,^(A) for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues,^{(B) 18} and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. ¹⁹ When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.^{(C) 20} For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

¹¹ When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say.^(A) But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit.