Parallel Bible results for "acts 24"

Acts 24

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.

7

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.)

New King James Version NKJV

1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: "Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,

3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.

5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,

8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: "Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,

11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.

19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.

20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,

21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.' "

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case."

23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.