Parallel Bible results for "acts 24"

Acts 24

Hebrew Names Version HNV

1 After five days, the Kohen Gadol, Hananyah, came down with certain Zakenim and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Sha'ul.

2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much shalom, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,

3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Yehudim throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Natzratim.

6 He even tried to profane the temple. We arrested him. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

7 * [No text]

8 * [No text]

9 The Yehudim also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Sha'ul answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Yerushalayim.

12 In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

13 Nor can they prove to you the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts to the needy to my nation, and offerings;

18 amid which certain Yehudim from Asia found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult.

19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!'"

22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case."

23 He ordered the centurion that Sha'ul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Yehudi, and sent for Sha'ul, and heard him concerning the faith in Messiah Yeshua.

25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you."

26 He hoped that way that money would be given to him by Sha'ul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Yehudim, Felix left Sha'ul in bonds.

The Message Bible MSG

1 Within five days, the Chief Priest Ananias arrived with a contingent of leaders, along with Tertullus, a trial lawyer. They presented the governor with their case against Paul.

2 When Paul was called before the court, Tertullus spoke for the prosecution: "Most Honorable Felix, we are most grateful in all times and places for your wise and gentle rule.

3 We are much aware that it is because of you and you alone that we enjoy all this peace and gain daily profit from your reforms.

4 I'm not going to tire you out with a long speech. I beg your kind indulgence in listening to me. I'll be quite brief.

5 "We've found this man time and again disturbing the peace, stirring up riots against Jews all over the world, the ringleader of a seditious sect called Nazarenes.

6 He's a real bad apple, I must say. We caught him trying to defile our holy Temple and arrested him.

8 You'll be able to verify all these accusations when you examine him yourself."

9 The Jews joined in: "Hear, hear! That's right!"

10 The governor motioned to Paul that it was now his turn. Paul said, "I count myself fortunate to be defending myself before you, Governor, knowing how fair-minded you've been in judging us all these years.

11 I've been back in the country only twelve days - you can check out these dates easily enough. I came with the express purpose of worshiping in Jerusalem on Pentecost, and I've been minding my own business the whole time.

12 Nobody can say they saw me arguing in the Temple or working up a crowd in the streets.

13 Not one of their charges can be backed up with evidence or witnesses.

14 "But I do freely admit this: In regard to the Way, which they malign as a dead-end street, I serve and worship the very same God served and worshiped by all our ancestors and embrace everything written in all our Scriptures.

15 And I admit to living in hopeful anticipation that God will raise the dead, both the good and the bad. If that's my crime, my accusers are just as guilty as I am.

16 "Believe me, I do my level best to keep a clear conscience before God and my neighbors in everything I do.

17 I've been out of the country for a number of years and now I'm back. While I was away, I took up a collection for the poor and brought that with me, along with offerings for the Temple.

18 It was while making those offerings that they found me quietly at my prayers in the Temple. There was no crowd, there was no disturbance.

19 It was some Jews from around Ephesus who started all this trouble. And you'll notice they're not here today. They're cowards, too cowardly to accuse me in front of you.

20 "So ask these others what crime they've caught me in. Don't let them hide behind this smooth-talking Tertullus.

21 The only thing they have on me is that one sentence I shouted out in the council: 'It's because I believe in the resurrection that I've been hauled into this court!' Does that sound to you like grounds for a criminal case?"

22 Felix shilly-shallied. He knew far more about the Way than he let on, and could have settled the case then and there. But uncertain of his best move politically, he played for time. "When Captain Lysias comes down, I'll decide your case."

23 He gave orders to the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to more or less give him the run of the place and not prevent his friends from helping him.

24 A few days later Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and listened to him talk about a life of believing in Jesus Christ.

25 As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and his people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming Judgment, Felix felt things getting a little too close for comfort and dismissed him. "That's enough for today. I'll call you back when it's convenient."

26 At the same time he was secretly hoping that Paul would offer him a substantial bribe. These conversations were repeated frequently.

27 After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Still playing up to the Jews and ignoring justice, Felix left Paul in prison.