From: "FamilyNet"
Bible Reading for December 05
CHAPTER 23
Acts 23:1
1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have
lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Acts 23:2
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on
the mouth.
Acts 23:3
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?
Acts 23:4
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Acts 23:5
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. Acts 23:6
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.
Acts 23:7
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and
the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. Acts 23:8
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor
spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. Acts 23:9
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. Acts 23:10
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.
Acts 23:11
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.
Acts 23:12
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.
Acts 23:13
13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. Acts 23:14
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.
Acts 23:15
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 enquire something more
perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
Acts 23:16
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and
entered into the castle, and told Paul. Acts 23:17
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. Acts 23:18
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. Acts 23:19
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? Acts 23:20
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 enquire somewhat
of him more perfectly.
Acts 23:21
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. Acts 23:22
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. Acts 23:23
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; Acts 23:24
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto
Felix the governor.
Acts 23:25
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner: Acts 23:26
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
Acts 23:27
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.
Acts 23:28
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought
him forth into their council: Acts 23:29
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. Acts 23:30
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. Acts 23:31
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by
night to Antipatris.
Acts 23:32
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the
castle:
Acts 23:33
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor,
presented Paul also before him. Acts 23:34
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; Acts 23:35
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
Acts 24:1
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.
Acts 24:2
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, Acts 24:3
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all
thankfulness.
Acts 24:4
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that
thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. Acts 24:5
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:
Acts 24:6
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have
judged according to our law.
Acts 24:7
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him
away out of our hands,
Acts 24:8
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself
mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. Acts 24:9
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. Acts 24:10
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: Acts 24:11
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days
since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. Acts 24:12
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: Acts 24:13
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. Acts 24:14
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:
Acts 24:15
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. Acts 24:16
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:17
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Acts
24:18
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither
with multitude, nor with tumult.
Acts 24:19
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought
against me.
Acts 24:20
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me,
while I stood before the council,
Acts 24:21
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.
Acts 24:22
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. Acts 24:23
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.
Acts 24:24
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. Acts
24:25
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. Acts 24:26
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. Acts
24:27
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix,
willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. CHAPTER 25
Acts 25:1
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended
from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Acts 25:2
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul,
and besought him,
Acts 25:3
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem,
laying wait in the way to kill him. Acts 25:4
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he
himself would depart shortly thither. Acts 25:5
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. Acts 25:6
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.
Acts 25:7
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.
Acts 25:8
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.
Acts 25:9
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?
Acts 25:10
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. Acts
25:11
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. Acts 25:12
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou
appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. Acts 25:13
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to
salute Festus.
Acts 25:14
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: Acts 25:15
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. Acts 25:16
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. Acts
25:17
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. Acts
25:18
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of
such things as I supposed:
Acts 25:19
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one
Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Acts 25:20
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. Acts 25:21
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. Acts 25:22
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow,
said he, thou shalt hear him. Acts 25:23
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. Acts 25:24
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.
Acts 25:25
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. Acts 25:26
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. Acts 25:27
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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