25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips,¹ Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog ^ra man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about ^sto examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also ^twas afraid, ^ufor he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that ^vhe had bound him.