Acts
22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the
Jews, he loosed him from [his] bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to
appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
Chapter 23
23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men [and] brethren, I have lived in all good
conscience before God until this day.
23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me
after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou
shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out
in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and
resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and
the multitude was divided.
23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the
Pharisees confess both.
23:9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and
strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us
not fight against God.
23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been
pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among
them, and to bring [him] into the castle.
23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou
hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse,
saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
23:14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great
curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you
to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he
come near, are ready to kill him.
23:16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the
castle, and told Paul.
23:17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto [him], and said, Bring this young man unto the
chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
23:18 So he took him, and brought [him] to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me
unto [him], and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
23:19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went [with him] aside privately, and asked
[him], What is that thou hast to tell me?
23:20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow
into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men,
which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed
him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
23:22 So the chief captain [then] let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man
that thou hast showed these things to me.
23:23 And he called unto [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to
Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
23:24 And provide [them] beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring [him] safe unto Felix the
governor.
23:25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
23:26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.
23:27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army,
and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
23:28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into
their council:
23:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his
charge worthy of death or of bonds.
23:30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee,
and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what [they had] against him. Farewell.
23:31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought [him] by night to
Antipatris.
23:32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
23:33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul
also before him.
23:34 And when the governor had read [the letter], he asked of what province he was. And when he
understood that [he was] of Cilicia;
23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept
in Herod's judgment hall.
Chapter 24
24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain
orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus 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,
24:3 We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear
us of thy clemency a few words.
24:5 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:
24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according
to our law.
24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our
hands,
24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge
of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
24:10 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:
24:11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to
Jerusalem for to worship.
24:12 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:
24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
24:14 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:
24:15 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.
24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and
[toward] men.
24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor
with tumult.
24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
24:20 Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood
before the council,
24:21 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.
24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred
them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your
matter.
24:23 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.
24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent
for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
24:25 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.
24:26 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.
24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews
a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Chapter 25
25:1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to
Jerusalem.
25:2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
25:3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way
to kill him.
25:4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart
shortly [thither].
25:5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with [me], and accuse this man,
if there be any wickedness in him.
25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next
day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
25:7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many
and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
25:8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple,
nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to
Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews
have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
25:11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but
if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal
unto Caesar.
25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar?
unto Caesar shalt thou go.
25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
25:14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying,
There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
25:15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed
[me], desiring [to have] judgment against him.
25:16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that
he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself
concerning the crime laid against him.
25:17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment
seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
25:18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I
supposed:
25:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was
dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
25:20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked [him] whether he would go to
Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
25:21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be
kept till I might send him to Caesar.
25:22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou
shalt hear him.
25:23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into
the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment
Paul was brought forth.
25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man,
about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and [also] here,
crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25:25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath
appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth
before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have
somewhat to write.
25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes
[laid] against him.
Chapter 26
26:1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth
the hand, and answered for himself:
26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee
touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
26:3 Especially [because I know] thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the
Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
26:4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem,
know all the Jews;
26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of
our religion I lived a Pharisee.
26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
26:7 Unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, instantly serving [God] day and night, hope to come.
For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
26:8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
26:9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth.
26:10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having
received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against
[them].
26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being
exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities.
26:12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun,
shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the
Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against the
pricks.
26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make
thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the
which I will appear unto thee;
26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
26:18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan
unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified
by faith that is in me.
26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
26:20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of
Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for
repentance.
26:21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill [me].
26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and
great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
26:23 That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead,
and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside
thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
26:25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and
soberness.
26:26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that
none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were
both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
26:30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that
sat with them:
26:31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing
worthy of death or of bonds.
26:32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed
unto Caesar.
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