Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
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And 1after five days the high priest 2Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before 3the governor their case 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, 4most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
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in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
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But, to detaina you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
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For we have found this man a plague, 5one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of 6the sect of the Nazarenes.
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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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The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all 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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and 11they 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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12Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
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But this I confess to you, that according to 13the Way, which they call 14a sect, 15I worship 16the God of our fathers, believing everything 17laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
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18having 19a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be 20a resurrection 21of both the just and the unjust.
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While I was doing this, they found me 28purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But 29some Jews from Asia--
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30they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they 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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other than this one thing 31that 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.'"
Paul Kept in Custody
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But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of 32the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."
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Then he gave orders to the centurion that he 33should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that 34none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
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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 35faith 36in Christ Jesus.
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And as he reasoned 37about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. 38When I get an opportunity I will summon you."
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At the same time he hoped 39that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)