⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(A) were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.

¹¹ Then they secretly^(A) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”^(B)

¹² So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.^{(C) 13} They produced false witnesses,^(D) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place^(E) and against the law.

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(A) were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. ⁵⁶ Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

¹⁶ If a malicious witness^(A) takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, ¹⁷ the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges^(B) who are in office at the time. ¹⁸ The judges must make a thorough investigation,^(C) and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, ¹⁹ then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party.^(D) You must purge the evil from among you. ²⁰ The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid,^(E) and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. ²¹ Show no pity:^(F) life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.^(G)

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias^(A) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges^(B) against Paul before the governor.^{(C) 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^(D) 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^(E) among the Jews^(F) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene^(G) sect^{(H) 6} and even tried to desecrate the temple;^(I) so we seized him. ^{[7] [a] 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,^(J) asserting that these things were true.

¹⁰ When the governor^(K) 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^(L) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,^(M) or stirring up a crowd^(N) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. ¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.^(O)

²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry^(A) with a brother or sister^[a][b] will be subject to judgment.^(B) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[c] is answerable to the court.^(C) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.^(D)