Parallel Bible results for "acts 24"

Acts 24

New Century Version NCV

1 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, went to the city of Caesarea with some of the older Jewish leaders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They had come to make charges against Paul before the governor.

2 Paul was called into the meeting, and Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Most Excellent Felix! Our people enjoy much peace because of you, and many wrong things in our country are being made right through your wise help.

3 We accept these things always and in every place, and we are thankful for them.

4 But not wanting to take any more of your time, I beg you to be kind and listen to our few words.

5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up the Jews everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group.

6 Also, he was trying to make the Temple unclean, but we stopped him.

7

8 By asking him questions yourself, you can decide if all these things are true."

9 The other Jews agreed and said that all of this was true.

10 When the governor made a sign for Paul to speak, Paul said, "Governor Felix, I know you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you.

11 You can learn for yourself that I went to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago.

12 Those who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple or stirring up the people in the synagogues or in the city.

13 They cannot prove the things they are saying against me now.

14 But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way of Jesus. The Jews say that the Way of Jesus is not the right way. But I believe everything that is taught in the law of Moses and that is written in the books of the Prophets.

15 I have the same hope in God that they have -- the hope that all people, good and bad, will surely be raised from the dead.

16 This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and people.

17 "After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I went back to bring money to my people and to offer sacrifices.

18 I was doing this when they found me in the Temple. I had finished the cleansing ceremony and had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me.

19 But there were some Jews from the country of Asia who should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, they are the ones who should accuse me.

20 Or ask these Jews here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the Jewish council in Jerusalem.

21 But I did shout one thing when I stood before them: 'You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from the dead!'"

22 Felix already understood much about the Way of Jesus. He stopped the trial and said, "When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide your case."

23 Felix told the officer to keep Paul guarded but to give him some freedom and to let his friends bring what he needed.

24 After some days Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, and asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus.

25 But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about living right, self-control, and the time when God will judge the world. He said, "Go away now. When I have more time, I will call for you."

26 At the same time Felix hoped that Paul would give him some money, so he often sent for Paul and talked with him.

27 But after two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus as governor. But Felix had left Paul in prison to please the Jews.

New Living Translation NLT

1 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.

2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us.

3 For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.

4 But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.

5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.

6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.

7

8 You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.”

9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.

10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.

11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.

12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.

13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.

16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.

18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting.

19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me!

20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of,

21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”

23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”

26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.

27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.