Bible Reading August 12 and 13
World English Bible
Aug.
12
Nehemiah
12, 13
Neh
12:1 Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
Neh
12:2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
Neh
12:3 Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
Neh
12:4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah,
Neh
12:5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
Neh
12:6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah.
Neh
12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the
priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.
Neh
12:8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah,
Judah, and
Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brothers.
Neh
12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brothers, were over against them
according to their offices.
Neh
12:10 Jeshua became the father of Joiakim, and Joiakim became the
father of Eliashib, and Eliashib became the father of Joiada,
Neh
12:11 and Joiada became the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan became
the father of Jaddua.
Neh
12:12 In the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers' houses:
of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
Neh
12:13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
Neh
12:14 of Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
Neh
12:15 of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
Neh
12:16 of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
Neh
12:17 of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;
Neh
12:18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
Neh
12:19 and of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
Neh
12:20 of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
Neh
12:21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
Neh
12:22 As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and
Johanan, and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of fathers'
houses;
also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.
Neh
12:23 The sons of Levi, heads of fathers' houses,
were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of
Johanan the son of Eliashib.
Neh
12:24 The chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua
the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers over against them, to praise
and give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of
God, watch next to watch.
Neh
12:25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub,
were porters keeping the watch at the storehouses of the gates.
Neh
12:26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son
of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the
priest the scribe.
Neh
12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the
Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep
the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with
singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps.
Neh
12:28 The sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out
of the plain around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the
Netophathites;
Neh
12:29 also from Beth Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and
Azmaveth: for the singers had built them villages around Jerusalem.
Neh
12:30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they
purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
Neh
12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah on the wall, and
appointed two great companies who gave thanks and went in procession.
One went on
the right hand on the wall toward the dung gate;
Neh
12:32 and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of
Judah,
Neh
12:33 and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
Neh
12:34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,
Neh
12:35 and certain of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah the
son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son
of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph;
Neh
12:36 and his brothers, Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai,
Maai, Nethanel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of
David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was before them.
Neh
12:37 By the spring gate, and straight before them, they went up by
the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the
house of David, even to the water gate eastward.
Neh
12:38 The other company of those who gave thanks went to meet them,
and I after them, with the half of the people, on the wall, above the
tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,
Neh
12:39 and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the
fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even
to the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
Neh
12:40 So stood the two companies of those who gave thanks in the
house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;
Neh
12:41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah,
Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
Neh
12:42 and Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and
Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loud,
with Jezrahiah their overseer.
Neh
12:43 They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced; for God
had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women also and the
children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar
off.
Neh
12:44 On that day were men appointed over the chambers for the
treasures, for the wave offerings, for the first fruits, and for the
tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities,
the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites: for
Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites who waited.
Neh
12:45 They performed the duty of their God, and the duty of the
purification, and so did
the singers and the porters, according to the commandment of David,
and of Solomon his son.
Neh
12:46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there was a chief of
the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Neh
12:47 All Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of
Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, as every
day required: and they set apart that
which was for the Levites; and the
Levites set apart that which was
for the sons of Aaron.
Neh
13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of
the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a
Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,
Neh
13:2 because they didn't meet the children of Israel with bread and
with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our
God turned the curse into a blessing.
Neh
13:3 It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they
separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
Neh
13:4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over
the chambers of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,
Neh
13:5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where before they laid
the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes
of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by
commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the
wave offerings for the priests.
Neh
13:6 But in all this time
I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of
Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king: and after certain days
asked I leave of the king,
Neh
13:7 and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib
had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the
house of God.
Neh
13:8 It grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household
stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
Neh
13:9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and there
brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal
offerings and the frankincense.
Neh
13:10 I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been
given them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work,
had fled everyone to his field.
Neh
13:11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house
of God forsaken? I gathered them together, and set them in their
place.
Neh
13:12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the grain and the new wine
and the oil to the treasuries.
Neh
13:13 I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest,
and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them
was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were
counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their
brothers.
Neh
13:14 Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my
good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its
observances.
Neh
13:15 In those days saw I in Judah some men treading winepresses on
the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys therewith;
as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they
brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified against
them in the day in which they sold food.
Neh
13:16 There lived men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and
all manner of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of
Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Neh
13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them,
What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
Neh
13:18 Didn't your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all
this evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Israel
by profaning the Sabbath.
Neh
13:19 It came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be
dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut,
and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath.
I set some of my servants over the gates, that no burden should be
brought in on the Sabbath day.
Neh
13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged
outside of Jerusalem once or twice.
Neh
13:21 Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why do you
stay around the wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you.
From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath.
Neh
13:22 I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves,
and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath
day. Remember to me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the
greatness of your loving kindness.
Neh
13:23 In those days also saw I the Jews who had married women of
Ashdod, of Ammon, and
of Moab:
Neh
13:24 and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and
could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language
of each people.
Neh
13:25 I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of
them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying,
You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their
daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
Neh
13:26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among
many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his
God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did
foreign women cause to sin.
Neh
13:27 Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to
trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?
Neh
13:28 One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high
priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased
him from me.
Neh
13:29 Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the
priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
Neh
13:30 Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners, and appointed duties
for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
Neh
13:31 and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the
first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
Aug.
13
Esther
1-3
Est
1:1 Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who
reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven
provinces),
Est
1:2 that in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of
his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Est
1:3 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his
princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles
and princes of the provinces, being before him.
Est
1:4 He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of
his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.
Est
1:5 When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast
for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great
and small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.
Est
1:6 There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened
with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble
pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red,
white, yellow, and black marble.
Est
1:7 They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds,
including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the
king.
Est
1:8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for
so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they
should do according to every man's pleasure.
Est
1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal
house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
Est
1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with
wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha,
Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of
Ahasuerus the king,
Est
1:11 to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown,
to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
Est
1:12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment
by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger
burned in him.
Est
1:13 Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for
it was the king's custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;
Est
1:14 and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish,
Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media,
who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom),
Est
1:15 "What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law,
because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the
eunuchs?"
Est
1:16 Memucan answered before the king and the princes, "Vashti
the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the
princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the
King Ahasuerus.
Est
1:17 For this deed of the queen will become known to all women,
causing them to show contempt for their husbands, when it is
reported, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in
before him, but she didn't come.'
Est
1:18 Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the
queen's deed will tell all the king's princes. This will cause much
contempt and wrath.
Est
1:19 If it please the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and
let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so
that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before
King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who
is better than she.
Est
1:20 When the king's decree which he shall make is published
throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will
give their husbands honor, both great and small."
Est
1:21 This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did
according to the word of Memucan:
Est
1:22 for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every
province according to its writing, and to every people in their
language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the
language of his own people.
Est
2:1 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was
pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was
decreed against her.
Est
2:2 Then the king's servants who served him said, "Let
beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
Est
2:3 Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his
kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young
virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women's house, to the custody
of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be
given them;
Est
2:4 and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of
Vashti." The thing pleased the king, and he did so.
Est
2:5 There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa, whose name was
Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a
Benjamite,
Est
2:6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who
had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
Est
2:7 He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter;
for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and
beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took
her for his own daughter.
Est
2:8 So it happened, when the king's commandment and his decree was
heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of
Susa, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's
house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Est
2:9 The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He
quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven
choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king's house. He
moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women's house.
Est
2:10 Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because
Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.
Est
2:11 Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women's
house, to find out how Esther did, and what would become of her.
Est
2:12 Each young woman's turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after
her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their
purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six
months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying
women).
Est
2:13 The young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she
desired was given her to go with her out of the women's house to the
king's house.
Est
2:14 In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into
the second women's house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's
eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more,
unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
Est
2:15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle
of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the
king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the
keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of
all those who looked at her.
Est
2:16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in
the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of
his reign.
Est
2:17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained
favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he
set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of
Vashti.
Est
2:18 Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his
servants, even Esther's feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the
provinces, and gave gifts according to the king's bounty.
Est
2:19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time,
Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.
Est
2:20 Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as
Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did
when she was brought up by him.
Est
2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate,
two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers,
were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
Est
2:22 This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the
queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name.
Est
2:23 When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so,
they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of
the chronicles in the king's presence.
Est
3:1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all
the princes who were with him.
Est
3:2 All the king's servants who were in the king's gate bowed down,
and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning
him. But Mordecai didn't bow down or pay him homage.
Est
3:3 Then the king's servants, who were in the king's gate, said to
Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's commandment?"
Est
3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn't
listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's
reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Est
3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai didn't bow down, nor pay him
homage, Haman was full of wrath.
Est
3:6 But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone,
for they had made known to him Mordecai's people. Therefore Haman
sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom
of Ahasuerus, even the Mordecai's people.
Est
3:7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth
year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman
from day to day, and from month to month, and chose the twelfth
month, which is the month Adar.
Est
3:8 Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people
scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces
of your kingdom, and their laws are different than other people's.
They don't keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not for the king's
profit to allow them to remain.
Est
3:9 If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be
destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the
hands of those who are in charge of the king's business, to bring it
into the king's treasuries."
Est
3:10 The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the
son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
Est
3:11 The king said to Haman, "The silver is given to you, the
people also, to do with them as it seems good to you."
Est
3:12 Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on
the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was
written to the king's satraps, and to the governors who were over
every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province
according its writing, and to every people in their language. It was
written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the
king's ring.
Est
3:13 Letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to
destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and
old, little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth
day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder
their possessions.
Est
3:14 A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in
every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be
ready against that day.
Est
3:15 The couriers went forth in haste by the king's commandment, and
the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman
sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
Aug.
11, 12
Acts 24
Act
24:1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with
certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the
governor against Paul.
Act
24:2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,
"Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent
measures are coming to this nation,
Act
24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent
Felix, with all thankfulness.
Act
24:4 But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and
hear a few words.
Act
24:5 For 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.
Act
24:6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
Act
24:7 but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great
violence took him out of our hands,
Act
24:8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him
yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."
Act
24:9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things
were so.
Act
24:10 When 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,
Act
24:11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve
days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
Act
24:12 In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or
stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
Act
24:13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse
me.
Act
24:14 But this I confess to you, that after 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;
Act
24:15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,
that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and
unjust.
Act
24:16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of
offense toward God and men.
Act
24:17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to
my nation, and offerings;
Act
24:18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the
temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
Act
24:19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make
accusation, if they had anything against me.
Act
24:20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found
in me when I stood before the council,
Act
24:21 unless 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!' "
Act
24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way,
deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer,
comes down, I will decide your case."
Act
24:23 He 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.
Act
24:24 But after 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.
Act
24:25 As 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."
Act
24:26 Meanwhile, 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.
Act
24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by
Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left
Paul in bonds.
Aug.
13
Acts 25
Act
25:1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three
days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
Act
25:2 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed
him against Paul, and they begged him,
Act
25:3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to
Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.
Act
25:4 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at
Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
Act
25:5 "Let them therefore," said he, "that are in
power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in
the man, let them accuse him."
Act
25:6 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down
to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and
commanded Paul to be brought.
Act
25:7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem
stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges
which they could not prove,
Act
25:8 while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of
the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned
at all."
Act
25:9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul
and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged
by me there concerning these things?"
Act
25:10 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment
seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as
you also know very well.
Act
25:11 For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy
of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true
that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to
Caesar!"
Act
25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered,
"You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go."
Act
25:13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice
arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
Act
25:14 As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before
the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by
Felix;
Act
25:15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
Act
25:16 To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to
give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the
accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense
concerning the matter laid against him.
Act
25:17 When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay,
but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man
to be brought.
Act
25:18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no
charge of such things as I supposed;
Act
25:19 but had certain questions against him about their own
religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be
alive.
Act
25:20 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I
asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged
concerning these matters.
Act
25:21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the
emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to
Caesar."
Act
25:22 Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the
man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear
him."
Act
25:23 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with
great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the
commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of
Festus, Paul was brought in.
Act
25:24 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here
present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of
the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he
ought not to live any longer.
Act
25:25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of
death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send
him.
Act
25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore
I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King
Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.
Act
25:27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to
also specify the charges against him."
