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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

10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council[a] found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23 He ordered an officer[b] to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:20 Greek Sanhedrin.
  2. 24:23 Greek a centurion.