Book of Common Prayer
Paul Frequently Speaks To Felix, Who Hopes To Get Money From Paul
24 And after some days, Felix, having arrived with Drusilla[a] his own wife (she being a Jew), sent for Paul and listened-to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But while he was speaking about righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment, Felix, having become afraid, responded, “As to the present, go. And having received an opportunity, I will summon you”— 26 at the same time also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. Therefore indeed, sending for him very-frequently, he was conversing with him.
Two Years Later, Paul Is Accused Before The New Governor, Festus
27 Now two years[b] having been fulfilled, Felix received a successor— Porcius Festus[c]. And wishing to gain[d] favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. 25 1 So Festus, having set-foot in the province, went up after three days to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the leading ones of the Jews brought-charges to him against Paul. And they were appealing-to him, 3 asking-for a favor against him, so that he might summon him to Jerusalem— while making an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Then indeed Festus responded that Paul was being kept in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to be proceeding-out [of Jerusalem] shortly. 5 “So”, he says, “the powerful ones among you having gone-down-with me— if there is something out-of-place in the man, let them be accusing him there”. 6 And having spent days among them (not more than eight or ten), having come down to Caesarea, having sat on the judgment-seat on the next day, he ordered that Paul be brought.
When Festus Suggests a Trial In Jerusalem, Paul Appeals To Caesar
7 And he having arrived, the Jews having come down from Jerusalem stood around him bringing many and weighty charges against him, which they were not able to prove— 8 Paul speaking-in-defense that “Neither against the Law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, did I sin anything”. 9 But Festus, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, having responded to Paul, said, “Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged there before me concerning these things?” 10 And Paul said, “I am standing here before the judgment-seat of Caesar, where I ought-to be judged. I did the Jews no wrong, as you also are knowing very well. 11 So if I am doing wrong[e] and have committed something worthy of death, I am not refusing to die. But if the things of which these ones are accusing me are nothing, no one is able[f] to freely-give me to them. I appeal-to Caesar[g]”. 12 Then Festus, having talked-with his council, responded, “You have appealed-to Caesar— you will go before Caesar”.
Jesus Speaks To The Crowd With a Parable
8 And it came about during the successive days that He was traveling-through according to city and village, proclaiming and announcing the kingdom of God as good news. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and some women who had been cured from evil spirits and infirmities— Mary, the one being called Magdalene[a], from whom seven demons had come out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward[b], and Susanna, and many others, who were serving them out of their possessions. 4 And while a large crowd was gathering, and the ones from every city were coming to Him, He spoke with a parable—
The Sower’s Seed Falls On Different Kinds of Soil. Only The Good Soil Produces Fruit
5 “The one sowing went out that he might sow his seed. And during his sowing some seed fell along the road. And it was trampled-underfoot. And the birds of the heaven ate it up. 6 And other seed fell-down on the bed-rock. And having grown, it was dried-up because of not having moisture. 7 And other seed fell in the middle of the thorns. And the thorns, having grown-with it, choked it. 8 And other seed fell into the fertile soil. And having grown, it produced fruit, a hundred-fold”. While saying these things, He was calling, “Let the one having ears to hear, hear”.
Jesus Explains The Purpose of Parables And The Meaning of The Sower
9 And His disciples were asking Him what this parable might mean. 10 And the One said— “It has been given to you to know[c] the mysteries of the kingdom of God. But I speak in parables to the others in order that while seeing they may not be seeing, and while hearing, they may not be understanding. 11 Now the parable means this: the seed is the word of God. 12 And the people along the road are the ones having heard. Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart in order that they may not be saved, having believed. 13 And the people on the bed-rock are ones who are welcoming the word with joy when they hear it. And these do not have a root— they are ones who are believing for a time, and are departing[d] in a time of testing[e]. 14 And the seed having fallen into the thorns— these people are the ones having heard, and while proceeding are being choked by the anxieties[f] and riches and pleasures of life. And they are not bringing-fruit-to-maturity. 15 And the seed in the good soil— these people are ones who, having heard the word in a good and fertile heart, are holding-on-to it and bearing-fruit with endurance.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing