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9“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.^a 10Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers^b there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11Many times I had them punished in the synagogues …

1Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”

So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2“I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!

4“As the Jewish leaders …

13A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice,^a to pay their respects to Festus. 14During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. “There is a prisoner here,” he told him, “whose case was left for me by Felix. 15When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn …

Paul Appears before Festus

1Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).4But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea …

Paul Appears before Felix

1Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer^a Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:

“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for …

1Gazing intently at the high council,^a Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”

2Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 3But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite!^bWhat kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”

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