Acts 24
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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.1Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
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.2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
3For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
4But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5We 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.5"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
6Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
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8You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.”8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."
9Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
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.10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.
11You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
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.12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.
13These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
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.14However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
15I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.15and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
17“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
18My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting.18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
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!19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.
20Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of,20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin--
21except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"
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.”22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."
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.23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
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.24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
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.”25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
26He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
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.27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
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.New International Version (NIV)

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Acts 23
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