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 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 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 called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude.3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4But so that I may not delay 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 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.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 desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized 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 yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges 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 began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make 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 no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
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,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 to you the things they are accusing me of doing.13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges 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.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 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.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 is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings,17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance.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 there are some Jews from the province of Asia who should be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, 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, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
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 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.’ ”
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."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 prevent any of his friends from meeting 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, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.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.
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 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 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 that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked 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. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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Acts 23
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