25
When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?"
26
When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!"
27
The commanding officer came and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes."
28
The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship for a great price." Paul said, "But I was born a Roman."