### American Standard Version

Acts 23

## The Acts of the Apostles

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| # Chapter 24
#### 1 | And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.
#### 2 | And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,
#### 3 | we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
#### 4 | But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
#### 5 | For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
#### 6 | who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: [and we would have judged him according to our law.]
#### 7 | [But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,]
#### 8 | [commanding his accusers to come before thee.] from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
#### 9 | And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
#### 10 | And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:
#### 11 | Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
#### 12 | and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
#### 13 | Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
#### 14 | But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
#### 15 | having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
#### 16 | Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
#### 17 | Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
#### 18 | amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were] certain Jews from Asia--
#### 19 | who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
#### 20 | Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,
#### 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 before you this day.
#### 22 | But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
#### 23 | And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
#### 24 | But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
#### 25 | And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
#### 26 | He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
#### 27 | But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Acts 25

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