¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection^(A) of both the righteous and the wicked.^{(B) 16} So I strive always to keep my conscience clear^(C) before God and man.

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

²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,^(J) 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^(K) but to give him some freedom^(L) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.^(M)

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.^{(N) 25} As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control^(O) and the judgment^(P) to come, Felix was afraid^(Q) 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,^(R) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,^(S) he left Paul in prison.^(T)

⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also,^(A) as to one abnormally born.

¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(A)

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then shall we say?^(A) That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;^{(B) 31} but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness,^(C) have not attained their goal.^{(D) 32} Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.^{(E) 33} As it is written:

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire^(G) and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. ² For I can testify about them that they are zealous^(H) for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. ³ Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.^{(I) 4} Christ is the culmination of the law^(J) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.^(K)

²³ gentleness and self-control.^(A) Against such things there is no law.^(B)

⁶ and to knowledge, self-control;^(A) and to self-control, perseverance;^(B) and to perseverance, godliness;^(C)

² For he says,

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.