Psalms 33; Psalms 34; Acts 24

1 You who are godly, sing with joy to the Lord. It is right for honest people to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp. Make music to him on the lyre that has ten strings.

3 Sing a new song to him. Play with skill, and shout with joy.

4 What the LORD says is right and true. He is faithful in everything he does.

5 The LORD loves what is right and fair. The earth is full of his faithful love.

6 The heavens were made when the LORD commanded it to happen. All of the stars were created by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea together. He puts the oceans in their places.

8 Let the whole earth have respect for the Lord. Let all of the people in the world honor him.

9 He spoke, and the world came into being. He commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD blocks the sinful plans of the nations. He keeps them from doing what they want to do.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever. What he wants to do will last for all time.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Blessed are the people he chose to be his own.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees everyone.

14 From his throne he watches all those who live on the earth.

15 He creates the hearts of all people. He is aware of everything they do.

16 A king isn't saved just because his army is big. A soldier doesn't escape just because he is very strong.

17 People can't trust a horse to save them either. Though it is very strong, it can't save them.

18 But the LORD looks with favor on those who respect him. He watches over those who put their hope in his faithful love.

19 He watches over them to save them from death. He wants to keep them alive when there is no food in the land.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord. He helps us. He is like a shield that keeps us safe.

21 Our hearts are full of joy because of him. We trust in him, because he is holy.

22 Lord, may your faithful love rest on us. We put our hope in you.

1 I will thank the LORD at all times. My lips will always praise him.

2 I will honor the Lord. Let those who are hurting hear and be joyful.

3 Join me in giving glory to the Lord. Let us honor him together.

4 I looked to the Lord, and he answered me. He saved me from everything I was afraid of.

5 Those who look to him beam with joy. They are never put to shame.

6 This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him. He saved him out of all of his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD stands guard around those who have respect for him. And he saves them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who goes to him for safety.

9 You people of God, have respect for the Lord. Those who respect him have everything they need.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry. But those who look to the LORD have every good thing they need.

11 My children, come. Listen to me. I will teach you to have respect for the Lord.

12 Do you love life and want to see many good days?

13 Then keep your tongues from speaking evil. Keep your lips from telling lies.

14 Turn away from evil, and do good. Look for peace, and go after it.

15 The LORD looks with favor on those who are godly. His ears are open to their cry.

16 The LORD doesn't look with favor on those who do evil. He removes all memory of them from the earth.

17 Godly people cry out, and the LORD hears them. He saves them from all of their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to those whose hearts have been broken. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.

19 Anyone who does what is right may have many troubles. But the LORD saves him from all of them.

20 The LORD watches over all of his bones. Not one of them will be broken.

21 Sinners will be killed by their own evil. The enemies of godly people will be judged.

22 The LORD sets those who serve him free. No one who goes to him for safety will be judged.

1 Five days later Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus went with him. They brought their charges against Paul to the governor.

2 So Paul was called in. Tertullus began to bring the charges against Paul. He said to Felix, "We have enjoyed a long time of peace while you have been ruling. You are a wise leader. You have made this a better nation.

3 Most excellent Felix, we gladly admit this everywhere and in every way. And we are very thankful.

4 I don't want to bother you. But would you be kind enough to listen to us for a short time?

5 "We have found that Paul is a troublemaker. He stirs up trouble among Jews all over the world. He is a leader of those who follow Jesus of Nazareth.

6 He even tried to pollute our temple. So we arrested him.

8 Question him yourself. Then you will learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."

9 The Jews said the same thing. They agreed that the charges were true.

10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for quite a few years. So I am glad to stand up for myself.

11 About 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can easily check on this.

12 Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn't stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.

13 They can't prove to you any of the charges they are making against me.

14 "It is true that I worship the God of our people. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. Those bringing charges against me call it a cult. I believe everything that agrees with the Law. I believe everything written in the Prophets.

15 I have the same hope in God that these men have. I believe that both the godly and the ungodly will rise from the dead.

16 So I always try not to do anything wrong in the eyes of God and man.

17 "I was away for several years. Then I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for those who were poor. I also came to offer sacrifices.

18 They found me doing this in the temple courtyard. I had already been made pure and clean in the usual way. There was no crowd with me. I didn't stir up any trouble.

19 "But there are some other Jews who should be here in front of you. They are from Asia Minor. They should bring charges if they have anything against me.

20 Let the Jews who are here tell you what crime I am guilty of. After all, I was put on trial by the Sanhedrin.

21 Perhaps they blame me for what I said when I was on trial. I shouted, 'I believe that people will rise from the dead. That is why I am on trial here today.' "

22 Felix knew all about the Way of Jesus. So he put off the trial for the time being. "Lysias the commanding officer will come," he said. "Then I will decide your case."

23 He ordered the commander to keep Paul under guard. He told him to give Paul some freedom. He also told him to allow Paul's friends to take care of his needs.

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla. She was a Jew. Felix sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 Paul talked about how to live right. He talked about how people should control themselves. He also talked about the time when God will judge everyone. Then Felix became afraid. "That's enough for now!" he said. "You may leave. When I find the time, I will send for you."

26 He was hoping that Paul would offer him some money to let him go. So he often sent for Paul and talked with him.

27 Two years passed. Porcius Festus took the place of Felix. But Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he left Paul in prison.