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10 And when (A)the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul answered:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you are able to ascertain the fact that no more than (B)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (C)And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor across the city did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (D)causing [a]a riot. 13 (E)Nor are they able to prove to you of what they are now accusing me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to (F)the Way, which they call a (G)sect, I do serve [b](H)the God of our fathers, (I)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, for which (J)these men are waiting, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 In view of this, (K)I also [c]do my best to maintain always a conscience without fault both before God and before men. 17 Now (L)after several years I (M)came to bring [d]alms to my nation and offerings; 18 in which they found me, having been (N)purified in the temple, without any (O)crowd or uproar. But there were some (P)Jews from [e]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to (Q)make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I stood before (R)the Sanhedrin, 21 other than for this one statement which (S)I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge about (T)the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the [f]commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be (U)kept in custody and yet (V)have some rest, and not to prevent any of (W)his friends from ministering to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
  2. Acts 24:14 Lit the ancestral God
  3. Acts 24:16 Lit practice myself
  4. Acts 24:17 Or gifts to charity
  5. Acts 24:18 West coast province of Asia Minor
  6. Acts 24:22 Military leader over 1,000 soldiers

Paul’s Defense before Felix

10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.(A) 11 You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.(B) 12 They didn’t find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.(C) 13 Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. 14 But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers’ God according to the Way,(D) which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.(E) 15 And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection,[a](F) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.(G) 16 I always do my best to have a clear conscience(H) toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation,(I) 18 and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.(J) 19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, ‘Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

The Verdict Postponed

22 Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way,(K) he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul[b] under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving[c] him.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:15 Other mss add of the dead
  2. Acts 24:23 Lit him
  3. Acts 24:23 Other mss add or visiting