Acts 24
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1After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor.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.
2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight.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,
3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude.3we always and everywhere acknowledge it with profound gratitude.
4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.4But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.
5For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.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 Nazarenes
6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.6and even tried to profane the Temple, but we arrested him.
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8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing."8By examining him for yourself, you will be able to find out from him everything of which we accuse him."
9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. 9The Jewish leaders supported his accusations by asserting that these things were true.
10When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.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.
11As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.11You can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.
12They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city,12They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city,
13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing.13and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me.
14But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets.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.
15I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.15I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish—that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.
16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.16Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people.
17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings,17After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices.
18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance.18They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present.
19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who should be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.19But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me.
20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council,20Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council —
21other than this one thing I shouted out while I stood before them: 'I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" 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.'"
22Then Felix, who understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case."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."
23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. 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.
24Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.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.
25While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you."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."
26At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him.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.
27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. 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.
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Acts 23
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