Matthew 10:18

¹After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. ²When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, ³we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. ⁴But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. ⁵For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.^8[+] By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

⁹The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

¹⁰When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, ¹¹seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. ¹²In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. ¹³Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; ¹⁵having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. ¹⁶In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. ¹⁷Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; ¹⁸amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. ¹⁹They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me. ²⁰Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, ²¹unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

²²But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

²⁴After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.” ²⁶Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.

⁴Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

²⁵One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” ²⁶Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

²⁷When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,

⁹“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.

¹Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? ²The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed,³“Let’s ^[+] break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.” ⁴He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord^[+] will have them in derision. ⁵Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: ⁶“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

¹Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. ²He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. ³When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. ⁴When he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

⁹I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

⁷When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.

³³When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. ³⁴When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,

⁸Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,