Parallel Bible results for "acts 24"

Acts 24

New Revised Standard NRS

1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.

2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Your Excellency, because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight.

3 We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude.

4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

5 We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator 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 so we seized him.

7

8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him."

9 The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.

10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.

11 As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

12 They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.

13 Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.

14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.

15 I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.

17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices.

18 While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance.

19 But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.

20 Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council,

21 unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.' "

22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."

23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus.

25 And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you."

26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

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

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.