| 章 |
| 24:1 |
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with a certain attorney [named] Tertullus; and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.
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| 24:2 |
And after [Paul] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying [to the governor], "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,
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| 24:3 |
we acknowledge [this] in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
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| 24:4 |
"But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.
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| 24:5 |
"For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
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| 24:6 |
"And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [And we wanted to judge him according to our own Law.
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| 24:7 |
"But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,
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| 24:8 |
ordering his accusers to come before you]. And by examining him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him."
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| 24:9 |
And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
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| 24:10 |
And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,
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| 24:11 |
since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
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| 24:12 |
"And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city [itself] did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.
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| 24:13 |
"Nor can they prove to you [the charges] of which they now accuse me.
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| 24:14 |
"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets;
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| 24:15 |
having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
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| 24:16 |
"In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience [both] before God and before men.
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| 24:17 |
"Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;
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| 24:18 |
in which they found me [occupied] in the temple, having been purified, without [any] crowd or uproar. But [there were] certain Jews from Asia--
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| 24:19 |
who ought to have been present before you, and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.
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| 24:20 |
"Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,
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| 24:21 |
other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'"
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| 24:22 |
But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."
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| 24:23 |
And he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and [yet] have [some] freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.
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| 24:24 |
But some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him [speak] about faith in Christ Jesus.
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| 24:25 |
And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you."
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| 24:26 |
At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.
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| 24:27 |
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
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