Day 496 of 730

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 by your foresight reforms are coming to this nation,

³we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

⁴But, that I do not 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.

⁷No text for this verse number in this edition.

⁸By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

⁹The Judeans 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 recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

¹²In the temple they did not 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 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;

¹⁵having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust.

¹⁶Herein 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 shouted out 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 he 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.

²⁴But 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.

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. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

²⁷But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Judeans, Felix left Paul in bonds.

¹God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

²Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

³though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.

⁴There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.

⁵God is in her midst. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.

⁶The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted.

⁷The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁸Come, see the Lord's works, what desolations he has made in the earth.

⁹He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.

¹⁰"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

¹¹The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

¹The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

²"Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

³Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'

⁵lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

⁶Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

⁷Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

⁸Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

⁹Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."

¹⁰Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

¹²She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

¹³She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

¹⁵She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

¹⁸She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.

¹⁹She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

²⁰She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²²She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

²⁶She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

²⁹"Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."

³⁰Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!