Acts 24
Paul's Defense before
Felix |
1 |
And after five days Anani'as the high
priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertul'lus, who informed the governor against
Paul.
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2 |
And when he was called forth, Tertul'lus
began to accuse him, saying,
Seeing that by thee we
enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this
nation by thy providence,
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3 |
we accept it always, and in all
places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
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4 |
Notwithstanding, that I be not further
tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy
clemency a few words.
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5 |
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews
throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes:
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6 |
who also hath gone about to profane the
temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our
law.
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7 |
But the chief captain Lys'i-as came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of
our hands,
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8 |
commanding his accusers to come unto
thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all
these things, whereof we accuse him.
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9 |
And the Jews also assented, saying that
these things were so.
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10 |
Then Paul, after that the governor had
beckoned unto him to speak, answered,
Forasmuch as I know that
thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more
cheerfully answer for myself:
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11 |
because that thou mayest understand, that
there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to
worship.
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12 |
And they neither found me in the temple
disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in
the synagogues, nor in the city:
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13 |
neither can they prove the things whereof
they now accuse me.
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14 |
But this I confess unto thee, that after
the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers,
believing all things which are written in the law and in the
prophets:
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15 |
and have hope toward God, which they
themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the
dead, both of the just and unjust.
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16 |
And herein do I exercise myself, to have
always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.
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Now after many years I came to bring alms
to my nation, and offerings.
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Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me
purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Acts 21.17-28
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Who ought to have been here before thee,
and object, if they had aught against me.
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Or else let these same here say,
if they have found any evildoing in me, while I stood before the
council,
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except it be for this one voice, that I
cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I
am called in question by you this day. Acts 23.6
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22 |
And when Felix heard these things,
having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them,
and said, When Lys'i-as the chief captain shall come down, I will
know the uttermost of your matter.
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23 |
And he commanded a centurion to keep
Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid
none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
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24 |
And after certain days, when Felix came
with his wife Drusil'la, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and
heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
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25 |
And as he reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go
thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call
for thee.
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26 |
He hoped also that money should have been
given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for
him the oftener, and communed with him.
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27 |
But after two years Por'ci-us Festus came
into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure,
left Paul bound.
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