Acts 24
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International Standard VersionBerean Study Bible
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 the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
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 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 always and everywhere acknowledge it with profound gratitude. 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
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 pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6and even tried to profane the Temple, but we arrested him.6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized 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."8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jewish leaders supported his accusations by asserting that these things were true. 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were 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. 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 can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago. 11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout 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.
13and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
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. 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 the same hope in God that they themselves cherish—that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. 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.
16Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. 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
19But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when 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 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.'"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.’ ”
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." 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 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 the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to 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.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.
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 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 hoping to receive a bribe from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk 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 was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he 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.
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Acts 23
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