Parallel Bible results for "acts 24"

Acts 24

Common English Bible CEB

1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They pressed charges against Paul before the governor.

2 After the governor summoned Paul, Tertullus began to make his case against him. He declared, "Under your leadership, we have experienced substantial peace, and your administration has brought reforms to our nation.

3 Always and everywhere, most honorable Felix, we acknowledge this with deep gratitude.

4 I don't want to take too much of your time, so I ask that you listen with your usual courtesy to our brief statement of the facts.

5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the empire. He's a ringleader of the Nazarene faction

6 and even tried to defile the temple. That's when we arrested him.

8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to verify the allegations we are bringing against him."

9 The Jews reinforced the action against Paul, affirming the truth of these accusations.

10 The governor nodded at Paul, giving him permission to speak. He responded, "I know that you have been judge over this nation for many years, so I gladly offer my own defense.

11 You can verify that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.

12 They didn't find me arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd, whether in the synagogue or anywhere else in the city.

13 Nor can they prove to you the allegations they are now bringing against me.

14 I do admit this to you, that I am a follower of the Way, which they call a faction. Accordingly, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe everything set out in the Law and written in the Prophets.

15 The hope I have in God I also share with my accusers, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

16 On account of this, I have committed myself to maintaining a clear conscience before God and with all people.

17 After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring gifts for the poor of my nation and to offer sacrifices.

18 When they found me in the temple, I was ritually pure. There was no crowd and no disturbance.

19 But there were some Jews from the province of Asia. They should be here making their accusations, if indeed they have something against me.

20 In their absence, have these people who are here declare what crime they found when I stood before the Jerusalem Council.

21 Perhaps it concerns this one statement that I blurted out when I was with them: ‘I am on trial before you today because of the resurrection of the dead.'"

22 Felix, who had an accurate understanding of the Way, adjourned the meeting. He said, "When Lysias the commander arrives from Jerusalem, I will decide this case."

23 He arranged for a centurion to guard Paul. He was to give Paul some freedom, and his friends were not to be hindered in their efforts to provide for him.

24 After several days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and summoned Paul. He listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 When he spoke about upright behavior, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became fearful and said, "Go away for now! When I have time, I'll send for you."

26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him some money, so he often sent for him and talked with him.

27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

GOD'S WORD Translation GW

1 Five days later the chief priest Ananias went to the city of Caesarea with some leaders of the people and an attorney named Tertullus. They reported to the governor their charges against Paul.

2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to Felix, "Your Excellency, through your wise leadership we have lasting peace and reforms that benefit the people.

3 We appreciate what you've done in every way and in every place, and we want to thank you very much.

4 I don't want to keep you too long. Please listen to us. We will be brief.

5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker. He starts quarrels among all Jews throughout the world. He's a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.

6 He also entered the temple courtyard in a way that violates our tradition. So we arrested him.

8 When you cross-examine him, you'll be able to find out from him that our accusations are true."

9 The Jews supported Tertullus' accusations and asserted that everything Tertullus said was true.

10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul responded, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. So I'm pleased to present my case to you.

11 You can verify for yourself that I went to Jerusalem to worship no more than twelve days ago.

12 No one found me having a discussion with anyone in the temple courtyard or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues throughout the city.

13 These people cannot even prove their accusations to you.

14 But I'll admit to you that I'm a follower of the way [of Christ], which they call a sect. This means that I serve our ancestors' God and believe everything written in Moses' Teachings and the Prophets.

15 I hope for the same thing my accusers do, that people with God's approval and those without it will come back to life.

16 With this belief I always do my best to have a clear conscience in the sight of God and people.

17 After many years I have come back to my people and brought gifts for the poor and offerings [for God].

18 My accusers found me in the temple courtyard doing these things after I had gone through the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present.

19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there. They should be here in front of you to accuse me if they have anything against me.

20 Otherwise, these men who are accusing me should tell what I was charged with when I stood in front of their council.

21 They could accuse me of only one thing. As I stood among them, I shouted, 'I'm being tried in front of you because [I believe that] the dead will come back to life.'"

22 Felix knew the way [of Christ] rather well, so he adjourned the trial. He told them, "When the officer Lysias arrives, I'll decide your case."

23 Felix ordered the sergeant to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and to let his friends take care of his needs.

24 Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 As Paul discussed the subjects of God's approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "That's enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I'll send for you again."

26 At the same time, Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money. For that reason, Felix would send for Paul rather often to have friendly conversations with him.

27 Two years passed. Then Porcius Festus took Felix's place. (Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.)