Acts 24
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1Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.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.
2And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to 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 accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the 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 profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,7
8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,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.
11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or 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.
13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which 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,
15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.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.
16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.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
19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”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.’ ”
22But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on 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.”
23So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit 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.
24And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.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 reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will 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.”
26Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more 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.
27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.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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