Daily Bread

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor^(A) and to present offerings. ¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean^(B) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.^{(C) 19} But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,^(D) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.^{(E) 20} Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— ²¹ unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”^(F)

²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,^(G) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard^(H) but to give him some freedom^(I) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.^(J)

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.^{(K) 25} As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control^(L) and the judgment^(M) to come, Felix was afraid^(N) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,^(O) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,^(P) he left Paul in prison.^(Q)