The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2000.
The Acts of the ApostlesThe Acts of the Apostles 24
Paul’s Defense before Felix | |
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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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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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we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. |
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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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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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who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. |
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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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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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¶ And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. |
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¶ 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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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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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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neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. |
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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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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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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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¶ 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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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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¶ 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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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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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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But after two years Por’ci-us Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. |
Published by The American Bible Society
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