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1
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And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and a certain orator Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. |
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2
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And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse , saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, |
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3
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We accept always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. |
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4
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Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. |
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5
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For we have found this man pestilent , and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: |
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6
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Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. |
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7
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But the chief captain Lysias came , and with great violence took away out of our hands, |
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8
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Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. |
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9
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And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. |
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10
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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: |
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11
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Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. |
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12
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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: |
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13
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Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. |
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14
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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: |
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15
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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. |
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16
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And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and men. |
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17
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Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. |
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18
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Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. |
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19
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Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. |
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20
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Or else let these same say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, |
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21
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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. |
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22
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And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. |
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23
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And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. |
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24
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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. |
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25
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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. |
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26
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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. |
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27
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But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. |