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1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
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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 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
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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 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
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Always and everywhere, most honorable Felix, we acknowledge this with deep gratitude.
4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
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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, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
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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 desecrate the temple; so we seized him.By
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and even tried to defile the temple. That's when we arrested him.
8 examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
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By examining him yourself, you will be able to verify the allegations we are bringing against him."
9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
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The Jews reinforced the action against Paul, affirming the truth of these accusations.
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.
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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 easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
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You can verify that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.
12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.
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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 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
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Nor can they prove to you the allegations they are now bringing against me.
14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
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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 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
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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 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
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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 my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
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After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring gifts for the poor of my nation and to offer sacrifices.
18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
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When they found me in the temple, I was ritually pure. There was no crowd and no disturbance.
19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.
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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 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—
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In their absence, have these people who are here declare what crime they found when I stood before the Jerusalem Council.
21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”
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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 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”
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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 ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
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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 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
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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 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
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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 a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
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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, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
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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.
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