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Paul
before Felix |
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Acts 24:1
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After five days the high priest Ananias came
down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges
to the governor against Paul. |
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Acts 24:2
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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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Acts 24:3
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we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere,
most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. |
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Acts 24:4
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"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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Acts 24:5
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"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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Acts 24:6
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"And he even tried to desecrate the temple;
and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. |
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Acts 24:7
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"But Lysias the commander came along, and with
much violence took him out of our hands, |
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Acts 24:8
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ordering his accusers to come before you.] 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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Acts 24:9
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The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting
that these things were so. |
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Acts 24:10
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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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Acts 24:11
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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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Acts 24:12
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"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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Acts 24:13
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"Nor can they prove to you the charges of which
they now accuse me. |
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Acts 24:14
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"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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Acts 24:15
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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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Acts 24:16
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"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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Acts 24:17
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"Now after several years I came to bring alms
to my nation and to present offerings; |
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Acts 24:18
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in which they found me occupied in the temple,
having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from
Asia-- |
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Acts 24:19
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who ought to have been present before you and
to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. |
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Acts 24:20
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"Or else let these men themselves tell what
misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, |
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Acts 24:21
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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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Acts 24:22
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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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Acts 24:23
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Then 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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Acts 24:24
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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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Acts 24:25
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But 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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Acts 24:26
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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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Acts 24:27
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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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