From: "FamilyNet"
Bible Reading for December 05
Acts 23
[1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have
lived in all good conscience before God until this day. [2] And the high
priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
[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?
[4] And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? [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. [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.
[7] And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees
and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say
that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees
confess both. [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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[13] And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. [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.
[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.
[16] And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and
entered into the castle, and told Paul. [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. [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. [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? [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.
[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. [22] So the chief captain then let the young
man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these
things to me. [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; [24] And provide them
beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
[25] And he wrote a letter after this manner: [26] Claudius Lysias unto the
most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
[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.
[28] And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I
brought him forth into their council: [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. [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. [31] Then the soldiers,
as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
[32] On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the
castle:
[33] Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the
governor, presented Paul also before him. [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; [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.
Acts 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.
[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, [3] We accept it always, and in all
places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
[4] Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that
thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. [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:
[6] Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would
have judged according to our law.
[7] But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took
him away out of our hands,
[8] Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself
mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. [9] And the
Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. [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: [11] Because that thou mayest understand, that
there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
[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: [13]
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. [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: [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.
[16] And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men. [17] Now after many years I came to bring
alms to my nation, and offerings. [18] Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found
me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. [19] Who
ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
[20] Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me,
while 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 by you this day.
[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. [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] 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.
[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. [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.
[27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix,
willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Acts 25
[1] Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended
from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
[2] Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul,
and besought him,
[3] And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem,
laying wait in the way to kill him. [4] But Festus answered, that Paul should
be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. [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. [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.
[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.
[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.
[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?
[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. [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. [12] Then Festus, when he had
conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto
Caesar shalt thou go. [13] And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice
came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
[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: [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. [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.
[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. [18]
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such
things as I supposed:
[19] But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of
one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. [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. [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. [22] Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I
would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. [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. [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] 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. [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. [27] For it seemeth to me
unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid
against him.
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