Acts 24
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1Five days later, the high priest Ananias arrived with certain elders and Tertullus, an attorney, and they summarized their case against Paul before the governor. 1Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.
2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus opened the prosecution by saying: "Your Excellency Felix, since we are enjoying lasting peace because of you, and since reforms for this nation are being brought about through your foresight, 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us.
3we always and everywhere acknowledge it with profound gratitude. 3For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.
4But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 4But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.
5For we have found this man a perfect pest and an agitator among all Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader in the sect of the Nazarenes5We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.
6and even tried to profane the Temple, but we arrested him.6Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.
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8By examining him for yourself, you will be able to find out from him everything of which we accuse him."8You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.”
9The Jewish leaders supported his accusations by asserting that these things were true. 9Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.
10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied: "Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defense. 10The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.
11You can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago. 11You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.
12They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city, 12My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.
13and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. 13These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
14However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets. 14“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.
15I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish—that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. 15I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. 16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
17After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. 17“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.
18They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. 18My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting.
19But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. 19But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me!
20Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council — 20Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of,
21unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: 'It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"21except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”
22Felix was rather well informed about the Way, and so he adjourned the trial with the comment, "When Tribune Lysias arrives, I'll decide your case." 22At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”
23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and not to keep any of his friends from caring for his needs.23He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
24Some days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Jesus the Messiah.24A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.
25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." 25As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”
26At the same time he was hoping to receive a bribe from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him.26He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.27After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Acts 23
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