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Acts 23-26
New American Standard Bible

Paul before the Council

23 Now looking intently at (A)the [a]Council, Paul said, “[b](B)Brothers, (C)I have [c]lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 But the high priest (D)Ananias commanded those standing beside him (E)to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, (F)you whitewashed wall! Do you (G)sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law, order me to be struck?” 4 But those present said, “Are you insulting God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘(H)You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 But Paul, perceiving that one group were (I)Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in (J)the [d]Council, “[e](K)Brothers, (L)I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for (M)the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For (N)the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And a great uproar occurred; and some of (O)the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “(P)We find nothing wrong with this man; (Q)suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into (R)the barracks.

11 But on (S)the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, “(T)Be courageous! For (U)as you have (V)testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.”

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, (W)the Jews formed a [f]conspiracy and (X)put themselves under an [g]oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have (Y)put ourselves under an [h]oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you [i]and (Z)the [j]Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly; and as for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes near the place.”

16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, [k]and he came and entered (AA)the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and led him to the commander and *said, “Paul (AB)the prisoner called me over to him and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19 The commander took him by the hand, and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20 And he said, “(AC)The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to (AD)the [l]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not [m]listen to them, for more than forty [n]of them are (AE)in hiding to ambush him, and these men have (AF)put themselves under an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him; and now they are ready and waiting for assurance from you.” 22 Then the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”

Paul Moved to Caesarea

23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by [o]the third hour of the night to proceed to (AG)Caesarea, [p]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [q]spearmen.” 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to (AH)Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter [r]with the following content:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to the (AI)most excellent governor Felix: (AJ)Greetings.

27 When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, (AK)I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, (AL)after learning that he was a Roman. 28 And (AM)wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I (AN)brought him down to their [s](AO)Council; 29 and I found that he was being accused regarding (AP)questions in their Law, but [t]was (AQ)not charged with anything deserving death or [u]imprisonment.

30 When I was (AR)informed that there would be (AS)a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing (AT)his accusers to [v]bring charges against him before you.”

31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But on the next day they let (AU)the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to (AV)the barracks. 33 When these horsemen had come to (AW)Caesarea and delivered the letter to (AX)the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 Now when he had read it, he also asked from what (AY)province Paul was, and when he learned that (AZ)he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your (BA)accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for [w]Paul to be (BB)kept in Herod’s [x]Praetorium.

Paul before Felix

24 Now after (BC)five days the high priest (BD)Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they [y]brought charges against Paul to (BE)the governor. 2 After [z]Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began accusing him, saying to the governor,

“Since we have attained great peace through you, and since reforms are being carried out for this nation by your foresight, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, (BF)most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not [aa]weary you further, I beg you [ab]to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness. 5 For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout [ac]the world, and a ringleader of the (BG)sect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to (BH)desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him.[ad] 8 By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.” 9 (BI)The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 And when (BJ)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, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than (BK)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (BL)And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (BM)causing [ae]a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself. 13 (BN)Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But I confess this to you, that in accordance with [af](BO)the Way, which they call a (BP)sect, I do serve (BQ)the God of our fathers, (BR)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which (BS)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this (BT)I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. 17 Now (BU)after several years I (BV)came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been (BW)purified, without any (BX)crowd or uproar. But there were some (BY)Jews from [ag]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to have been (BZ)bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before (CA)the [ah]Council, 21 other than in regard to this one declaration which (CB)I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”

22 But Felix, [ai]having quite accurate knowledge about [aj](CC)the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He gave orders to the centurion for [ak]Paul to be (CD)kept in custody and yet (CE)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of (CF)his friends from providing for his needs.

24 Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his [al]wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (CG)faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing (CH)righteousness, (CI)self-control, and (CJ)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that (CK)money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [am]was succeeded by Porcius (CL)Festus; and Felix, (CM)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul (CN)imprisoned.

Paul before Festus

25 Festus, then, after arriving in (CO)the province, went up to Jerusalem from (CP)Caesarea three days later. 2 And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews (CQ)brought charges against Paul, and they were pleading with [an]Festus, 3 requesting a [ao]concession against [ap]Paul, that he might [aq]have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, (CR)setting an ambush to kill him on the way). 4 Festus then (CS)answered that Paul (CT)was being kept in custody in (CU)Caesarea, and that he himself was about to leave shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he *said, “have the influential men among you [ar]go there with me, and if there is anything wrong [as]about the man, have them bring charges against him.”

6 After Festus had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to (CV)Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on (CW)the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought. 7 After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing (CX)many, and serious, charges against him (CY)which they could not prove, 8 while Paul said in his own defense, “(CZ)I have not done anything wrong either against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” 9 But Festus, (DA)wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul and said, “(DB)Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and [at]stand trial before me on these charges?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s (DC)tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I (DD)appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then when Festus had conferred with [au]his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”

13 Now when several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in (DE)Caesarea, paying their respects to Festus. 14 And while they were spending many days there, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man who was (DF)left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews (DG)brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I (DH)replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any person before (DI)the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 17 So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on (DJ)the tribunal and ordered that the man be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they did not begin bringing any charges [av]against him of crimes that I suspected, 19 but they simply had some (DK)points of disagreement with him about their own [aw](DL)religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 And (DM)being at a loss how to investigate [ax]such matters, I [ay]asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these matters. 21 But when Paul (DN)appealed to be held in custody for [az]the Emperor’s decision, I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (DO)Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he *said, “you shall hear him.”

Paul before Agrippa

23 So, on the next day when (DP)Agrippa and (DQ)Bernice came amid great pomp and entered the auditorium, [ba]accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought before them. 24 And Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen present with us, you see this man about whom (DR)all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that (DS)he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had committed (DT)nothing deserving death; and since he himself (DU)appealed to [bb]the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 [bc]Yet, I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him as well.”

Paul’s Defense before Agrippa

26 (DV)Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:

2 “Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 [bd]especially because you are an expert in all (DW)customs and [be]questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “So then, all Jews know (DX)my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a (DY)Pharisee (DZ)according to the strictest (EA)sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing trial (EB)for the hope of (EC)the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise (ED)to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this (EE)hope, O king, I am being (EF)accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people (EG)if God raises the dead?

9 “So (EH)I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to (EI)the name of Jesus [bf]of Nazareth. 10 And this is [bg]just what I (EJ)did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [bh]saints in prisons, after (EK)receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also (EL)cast my vote against them when they were being put to death. 11 And (EM)as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was (EN)extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them (EO)even to [bi]foreign cities.

12 “[bj]While so engaged, (EP)as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, [bk]brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had (EQ)all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the [bl](ER)Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? [bm]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and (ES)stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to (ET)appoint you as a (EU)servant and (EV)a witness not only to the things in which you have seen Me, but also to the things in which I will appear to you, 17 (EW)rescuing you (EX)from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to (EY)open their eyes so that they may turn from (EZ)darkness to light, and from the [bn]power of (FA)Satan to God, that they may receive (FB)forgiveness of sins and an (FC)inheritance among those who have been sanctified by (FD)faith in Me.’

19 “For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but continually proclaimed (FE)to those in Damascus first, and (FF)in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even (FG)to the Gentiles, that they are to (FH)repent and turn to God, performing deeds (FI)consistent with repentance. 21 For these reasons some Jews (FJ)seized me in the temple and tried (FK)to murder me. 22 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day (FL)testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what (FM)the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23 as to (FN)whether the [bo]Christ was [bp]to suffer, and whether, as (FO)first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim (FP)light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

24 While [bq]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [br]Your great (FQ)learning is [bs]driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, (FR)most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with [bt]truthful and rational words. 26 For the king [bu](FS)knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [bv]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “[bw]In a short time you are going to persuade me to [bx]make a (FT)Christian of myself.” 29 And Paul said, “I would [by]wish to God that even [bz]in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these (FU)chains.”

30 (FV)The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “(FW)This man is not doing anything deserving death or [ca]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been (FX)set free if he had not (FY)appealed to Caesar.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:1 Or Sanhedrin
  2. Acts 23:1 Lit Men, brothers
  3. Acts 23:1 Or conducted myself as a citizen
  4. Acts 23:6 Or Sanhedrin
  5. Acts 23:6 Lit Men, brothers
  6. Acts 23:12 Or mob
  7. Acts 23:12 I.e., an oath with a self-imposed curse
  8. Acts 23:14 See note 2 v 12
  9. Acts 23:15 Lit with
  10. Acts 23:15 Or Sanhedrin
  11. Acts 23:16 Or having been present with them, and he also entered
  12. Acts 23:20 Or Sanhedrin
  13. Acts 23:21 Lit be persuaded by them
  14. Acts 23:21 Lit men of them
  15. Acts 23:23 I.e., 9 p.m.
  16. Acts 23:23 Lit and
  17. Acts 23:23 Or slingers; or bowmen
  18. Acts 23:25 Or to this effect
  19. Acts 23:28 Or Sanhedrin
  20. Acts 23:29 Lit had no charge of
  21. Acts 23:29 Lit bonds
  22. Acts 23:30 Lit speak against him
  23. Acts 23:35 Lit him
  24. Acts 23:35 I.e., governor’s official residence
  25. Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence or case
  26. Acts 24:2 Lit he
  27. Acts 24:4 Or impose on
  28. Acts 24:4 Lit to hear...briefly
  29. Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  30. Acts 24:6 Late mss add as the remainder of v 6: We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. v 7: But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence, and the first part of v 8: ordering his accusers to come before you.
  31. Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
  32. Acts 24:14 See John 14:6
  33. Acts 24:18 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  34. Acts 24:20 Or Sanhedrin
  35. Acts 24:22 Lit knowing more accurately
  36. Acts 24:22 See John 14:6
  37. Acts 24:23 Lit him
  38. Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
  39. Acts 24:27 Lit received as a successor, Porcius Festus
  40. Acts 25:2 Lit him
  41. Acts 25:3 Or favor
  42. Acts 25:3 Lit him
  43. Acts 25:3 Lit summon him to Jerusalem
  44. Acts 25:5 Lit go down
  45. Acts 25:5 Lit in
  46. Acts 25:9 Lit be judged
  47. Acts 25:12 A different group from that mentioned in Acts 4:15 and 24:20
  48. Acts 25:18 Lit in regard to him
  49. Acts 25:19 Or superstition
  50. Acts 25:20 Lit these
  51. Acts 25:20 Lit said
  52. Acts 25:21 Lit the Augustus’ (in this case Nero)
  53. Acts 25:23 Lit and with
  54. Acts 25:25 See note v 21
  55. Acts 25:26 Lit About whom I
  56. Acts 26:3 Or because you are especially expert
  57. Acts 26:3 Or controversial issues
  58. Acts 26:9 Or the Nazarene
  59. Acts 26:10 Lit also
  60. Acts 26:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  61. Acts 26:11 Or outlying
  62. Acts 26:12 Lit In which things
  63. Acts 26:13 Lit above the brightness of
  64. Acts 26:14 I.e., Jewish Aramaic
  65. Acts 26:14 An idiom referring to an animal’s futile resistance to being prodded with a spiked stick
  66. Acts 26:18 Or dominion
  67. Acts 26:23 I.e., Messiah
  68. Acts 26:23 Lit subject to suffering
  69. Acts 26:24 Lit he
  70. Acts 26:24 Lit The many letters; i.e., education
  71. Acts 26:24 Lit turning you to madness
  72. Acts 26:25 Lit words of truth and rationality
  73. Acts 26:26 Or understands
  74. Acts 26:26 I.e., a hidden or secret place
  75. Acts 26:28 Or With a little
  76. Acts 26:28 Or act as a Christian
  77. Acts 26:29 Or pray to
  78. Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
  79. Acts 26:31 Lit bonds
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Acts 23-26
New International Version

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin(A) and said, “My brothers,(B) I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience(C) to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias(D) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.(E) 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!(F) You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”(G)

4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’[a]”(H)

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees(I) and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers,(J) I am a Pharisee,(K) descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”(L) 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,(M) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees(N) stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,”(O) they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”(P) 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.(Q)

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!(R) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”(S)

The Plot to Kill Paul

12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy(T) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.(U) 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.(V) 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin(W) petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(X) and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(Y) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(Z) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(AA) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(AB) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(AC) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[b] to go to Caesarea(AD) at nine tonight.(AE) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(AF)

25 He wrote a letter as follows:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency,(AG) Governor Felix:

Greetings.(AH)

27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(AI) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(AJ) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(AK) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(AL) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(AM) but there was no charge against him(AN) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(AO) of a plot(AP) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(AQ) to present to you their case against him.

31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(AR) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(AS) 33 When the cavalry(AT) arrived in Caesarea,(AU) they delivered the letter to the governor(AV) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(AW) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(AX) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(AY) in Herod’s palace.

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias(AZ) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges(BA) against Paul before the governor.(BB) 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. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent(BC) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots(BD) among the Jews(BE) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene(BF) sect(BG) 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple;(BH) so we seized him. [7] [c] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

9 The other Jews joined in the accusation,(BI) asserting that these things were true.

10 When the governor(BJ) 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. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days(BK) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,(BL) or stirring up a crowd(BM) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.(BN) 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors(BO) as a follower of the Way,(BP) which they call a sect.(BQ) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,(BR) 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection(BS) of both the righteous and the wicked.(BT) 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear(BU) before God and man.

17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(BV) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(BW) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(BX) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(BY) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(BZ) 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 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.’”(CA)

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(CB) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard(CC) but to give him some freedom(CD) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(CE)

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.(CF) 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control(CG) and the judgment(CH) to come, Felix was afraid(CI) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will 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.

27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,(CJ) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,(CK) he left Paul in prison.(CL)

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(CM) went up from Caesarea(CN) to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(CO) 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(CP) 4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held(CQ) at Caesarea,(CR) and I myself am going there soon. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(CS) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(CT) 7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(CU) but they could not prove them.(CV)

8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(CW) or against Caesar.”

9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(CX) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(CY)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(CZ) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(DA)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(DB) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(DC) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(DD) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(DE) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(DF) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(DG) with him about their own religion(DH) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(DI) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(DJ)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(DK)

Paul Before Agrippa(DL)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(DM) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(DN) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(DO) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(DP) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(DQ) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”(DR)

So Paul motioned with his hand(DS) and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you(DT) today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,(DU) 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs(DV) and controversies.(DW) Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,(DX) from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time(DY) and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect(DZ) of our religion, living as a Pharisee.(EA) 6 And now it is because of my hope(EB) in what God has promised our ancestors(EC) that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes(ED) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.(EE) King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.(EF) 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?(EG)

9 “I too was convinced(EH) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose(EI) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.(EJ) 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people(EK) in prison,(EL) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.(EM) 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,(EN) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice(EO) saying to me in Aramaic,[d](EP) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.(EQ) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.(ER) 17 I will rescue you(ES) from your own people and from the Gentiles.(ET) I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes(EU) and turn them from darkness to light,(EV) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins(EW) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(EX)

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient(EY) to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus,(EZ) then to those in Jerusalem(FA) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,(FB) I preached that they should repent(FC) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.(FD) 21 That is why some Jews seized me(FE) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.(FF) 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen(FG)— 23 that the Messiah would suffer(FH) and, as the first to rise from the dead,(FI) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”(FJ)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(FK) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(FL) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(FM) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(FN) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(FO)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(FP)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(FQ) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(FR)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(FS) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(FT)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:5 Exodus 22:28
  2. Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.
  3. Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.
  4. Acts 26:14 Or Hebrew
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