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10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for quite a few years. So I am glad to explain my actions to you. 11 About 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can easily check on this. 12 Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 They can’t prove to you any of the charges they are making against me. 14 It is true that I worship the God of our people. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. Those bringing charges against me call it a cult. I believe everything that is in keeping with the Law. I believe everything that is in keeping with what is written in the Prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men themselves have. I believe that both the godly and the ungodly will rise from the dead. 16 So I always try not to do anything wrong in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people.

17 “I was away for several years. Then I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for those who were poor. I also came to offer sacrifices. 18 They found me doing this in the temple courtyard. I had already been made pure and ‘clean’ in the usual way. There was no crowd with me. I didn’t stir up any trouble. 19 But there are some other Jews who should be here in front of you. They are from Asia Minor. They should bring charges if they have anything against me. 20 Let the Jews who are here tell you what crime I am guilty of. After all, I was put on trial by the Sanhedrin. 21 Perhaps they blame me for what I said when I was on trial. I shouted, ‘I believe that people will rise from the dead. That is why I am on trial here today.’ ”

22 Felix knew all about the Way of Jesus. So he put off the trial for the time being. “Lysias the commanding officer will come,” he said. “Then I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the commander to keep Paul under guard. He told him to give Paul some freedom. He also told him to allow Paul’s friends to take care of his needs.

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10 When the governor(A) 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(B) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,(C) or stirring up a crowd(D) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.(E) 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors(F) as a follower of the Way,(G) which they call a sect.(H) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,(I) 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection(J) of both the righteous and the wicked.(K) 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear(L) before God and man.

17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(M) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(N) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(O) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(P) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(Q) 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.’”(R)

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(S) 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(T) but to give him some freedom(U) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(V)

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