Study Desk

And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin;

he said, "I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also," giving orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.

And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "As we have attained much peace through you—and because by your provision reforms are being carried out for this nation—

For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul answered: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,

having a hope in God, for which these men are waiting, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'"

Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some rest, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you."

At the same time, he was also hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him.

and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

When the accusers stood up, they were not bringing any charges against him for the evil deeds I was expecting,

But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar."

For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him."

Now Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." Then Paul, stretching out his hand, began to make his defense:

since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.

And now I am standing here being tried for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;

the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.

And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

But rise up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;