English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

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Paul before Felix

After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.

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And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,

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After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,
“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,

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in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.

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we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

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But, to detaina you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

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“But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

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For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

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“For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

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He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.b

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“And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.

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By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

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ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.”

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The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

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The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

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And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

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When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,

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You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,

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since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

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and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

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“Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.

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Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

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“Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.

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But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

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“But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;

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having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

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having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

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So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

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“In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

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Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

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“Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;

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While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia —

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in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia —

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they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.

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who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.

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Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,

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“Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,

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other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

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other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

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Paul Kept in Custody

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”

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But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

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Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

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Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

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After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

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But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”

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At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

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At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.

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When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

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But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

Parallel

English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible

Acts 24

Acts 24