The
Trial Before Felix
Five
days later the High Priest Ananias
Went
down to Caesarea with some of the Elders
And
a Lawyer named Tertullus,
AND
THEY BROUGHT THEIR CHARGES AGAINST PAUL
BEFORE
THE GOVERNOR.
2When
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 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 her us briefly.
5
WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN TO BE A TROUBLEMAKER,
STIRRING
UP RIOTS AMONG THE JEWS
ALL
OVER THE WORLD.
HE
IS A RINGLEADER OF THE NAZARENE SECT
6
AND EVEN TRIED TO DESECRTE THE TEMPLE;
SO
WE SEIZED HIM.
8
BY EXAMINGING HIM YOURSELF
YOU
WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN THE TRUTH
ABOUT
ALL THESE CHARGES
WE
ARE BRINGING AGAINST HIM.'
9
THE JEWS JOINED THE ACCUSATION,
ASSERTING
THAT THESE THINGS WERE TRUE.
10
When the Governor 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 AGO
I
WENT UP TO JERUSALEM TO WORSHIP.
12
MY ACCUSERS DID NOT FIND ME ARGUING WITH ANYONE AT THE TEMPLE,
ORSTIRRING
UP A CROWD IN TEH SYNAGOGUES
OR
ANYHWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY.
13
AND THEY CANNOT PROVE TO YOU
THE
CHARGES THEY ARE NOW MAKING AGAINST ME.
14
HOWEVER, I ADMIT THAT I WORSHIP THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS,
AS
A FOLLOWER OF THE WAY,
WHICH
THEY CALL A SECT.
I
BELEIVE EVRYTHING THAT AGREES WITH THE LAW
AND
THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS,
15
AND I HAVE THE SAME HOPE IN GOD AS THESE MEN,
THAT
THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION
OF
BOTH THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.
16
SO I STRIVE ALWAYS
TO
KEEP MY CONSCIENCE CLEAR BEFORE GOD AND MAN.
17
After an Absence of several years,
I
came to Jerusalem
To
bring my people gits for the poor
And
to present offerings.
18
I was Ceremonially Clean
When
they found me in the Temple Courts doing this.
There
was no Crowd with me,
Nor
was I involved in any Disturbance.
19
But there are some Jews from the Province of Asia,
Who
ought to be here before you and bring Charges
If
they have anything against me.
20
Or these who are here
Should
state what Crime they found in me
When
I stood before the Sanhedrin—21Unless 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.'
22
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,
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
But
to give him some freedom
And
permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla,
Who
was a Jewess.
He
sent for Paul and listened to him
As
he spoke about Faith in Christ Jesus.
25
AS PAUL DISCOURSED ON RIGHTEOUSNES, SELFCONTROL
AND
THE JUDGMENT TO COME
FELIX
WAS AFRAID 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,
But
because Felix wanted to grant a Favor to the Jews,
He
left Paul in Prison.
(Acts
24)
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