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Today's Bible Reading :: Acts 24 - 26 (ESV)

Acts 24Listen to the passage

Acts 25Listen to the passage

Acts 26Listen to the passage

Acts 24

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:1

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:1 - And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:2

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:2 - And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:3

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:3 - in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:4

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:4 - But, to detain[fn] you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:5

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:5 - For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:6

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:6 - He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.[fn]

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:8

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:8 - By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:9

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:9 - The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:10

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:10 - And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:11

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:11 - You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:12

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:12 - and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:13

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:13 - Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:14

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:14 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:15

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:15 - having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:16

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:16 - So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:17

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:17 - Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:18

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:18 - While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:19

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:19 - they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:20

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:20 - Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:21

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:21 - other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

Paul Kept in Custody

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:22

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:22 - But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:23

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:23 - Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:24

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:24 - After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:25

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:25 - And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:26

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:26 - At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 24:27

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 24:27 - When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
ESV Footnotes
Or weary
Some manuscripts add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.
BLB Footnotes
Some Greek manuscripts exclude this verse. The ESV related footnote for 24:6 states:
Some manuscripts add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.  

Acts 25

Paul Appeals to Caesar

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:1

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:1 - Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:2

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:2 - And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:3

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:3 - asking as a favor against Paul[fn] that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:4

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:4 - Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:5

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:5 - “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:6

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:6 - After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:7

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:7 - When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:8

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:8 - Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:9

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:9 - But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:10

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:10 - But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:11

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:11 - If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:12

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:12 - Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:13

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:13 - Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:14

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:14 - And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:15

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:15 - and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:16

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:16 - I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:17

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:17 - So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:18

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:18 - When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:19

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:19 - Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:20

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:20 - Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:21

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:21 - But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:22

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:22 - Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:23

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:23 - So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:24

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:24 - And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:25

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:25 - But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:26

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:26 - But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 25:27

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 25:27 - For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
ESV Footnotes
Greek him

Acts 26

Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:1

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:1 - So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:2

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:2 - “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:3

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:3 - especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:4

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:4 - “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:5

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:5 - They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:6

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:6 - And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:7

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:7 - to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:8

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:8 - Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:9

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:9 - “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:10

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:10 - And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:11

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:11 - And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Paul Tells of His Conversion

(Act 9:1–19; 22:6–16 )

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:12

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:12 - “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:13

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:13 - At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:14

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:14 - And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,[fn] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:15

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:15 - And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:16

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:16 - But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:17

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:17 - delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:18

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:18 - to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:19

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:19 - “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:20

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:20 - but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:21

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:21 - For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:22

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:22 - To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:23

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:23 - that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:24

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:24 - And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:25

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:25 - But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:26

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:26 - For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:27

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:27 - King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:28

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:28 - And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”[fn]

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:29

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:29 - And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:30

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:30 - Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:31

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:31 - And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 26:32

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 26:32 - And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
See the ESV Preface
ESV Footnotes
Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic)
Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2025 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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