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Revised Standard Version |
Acts - Chapter 24 |
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   | Act 24:1 | And after five days the high priest Anani'as came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertul'lus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul; |
| Act 24:2 | and when he was called, Tertul'lus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your provision, most excellent Felix, reforms are introduced on behalf of this nation, |
| Act 24:3 | in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. |
| Act 24:4 | But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. |
| Act 24:5 | For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. |
| Act 24:6 | He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. |
| Act 24:7 | [no text for RSV] |
| Act 24:8 | By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him about everything of which we accuse him." |
| Act 24:9 | The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all this was so. |
| Act 24:10 | And when the governor had motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "Realizing that for many years you have been judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. |
| Act 24:11 | As you may ascertain, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem; |
| Act 24:12 | and they did not find me disputing with any one or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues, or in the city. |
| Act 24:13 | Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. |
| Act 24:14 | But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets, |
| Act 24:15 | having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. |
| Act 24:16 | So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men. |
| Act 24:17 | Now after some years I came to bring to my nation alms and offerings. |
| Act 24:18 | As I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia-- |
| Act 24:19 | they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. |
| Act 24:20 | Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, |
| Act 24:21 | except this one thing which I cried out while standing among them, 'With respect to the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you this day.'" |
| Act 24:22 | But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lys'ias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case." |
| Act 24:23 | Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but should have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. |
| Act 24:24 | After some days Felix came with his wife Drusil'la, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak upon faith in Christ Jesus. |
| Act 24:25 | And as he argued about justice and self-control and future judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity I will summon you." |
| Act 24:26 | At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. |
| Act 24:27 | But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. |
