Acts 24
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Holman Christian Standard BibleBerean Study Bible
1After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: "Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, 2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes!5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him and wanted to judge him according to our law.6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force,7
8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of."8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so. 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12They didn't find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers' God according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation,17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, 'Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" 21unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”
22Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." 22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving him. 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I find time I'll call for you." 25As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
26At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. 26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison. 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
Acts 23
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