Study Desk

When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.

and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.

This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me.

The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them,

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.

For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—