« | Acts 25 | » |
1 Three days after Festus became governor, he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 There the leading priests and the important Jewish leaders made charges against Paul before Festus.
3 They asked Festus to do them a favor. They wanted him to send Paul back to Jerusalem, because they had a plan to kill him on the way.
4 But Festus answered that Paul would be kept in Caesarea and that he himself was returning there soon.
5 He said, "Some of your leaders should go with me. They can accuse the man there in Caesarea, if he has really done something wrong."
6 Festus stayed in Jerusalem another eight or ten days and then went back to Caesarea. The next day he told the soldiers to bring Paul before him. Festus was seated on the judge's seat
7 when Paul came into the room. The Jewish people who had come from Jerusalem stood around him, making serious charges against him, which they could not prove.
8 This is what Paul said to defend himself: "I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, against the Temple, or against Caesar."
9 But Festus wanted to please the Jews. So he asked Paul, "Do you want to go to Jerusalem for me to judge you there on these charges?"
10 Paul said, "I am standing at Caesar's judgment seat now, where I should be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews; you know this is true.
11 If I have done something wrong and the law says I must die, I do not ask to be saved from death. But if these charges are not true, then no one can give me to them. I want Caesar to hear my case!"
12 Festus talked about this with his advisers. Then he said, "You have asked to see Caesar, so you will go to Caesar!"
13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus.
14 They stayed there for some time, and Festus told the king about Paul's case. Festus said, "There is a man that Felix left in prison.
15 When I went to Jerusalem, the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders there made charges against him, asking me to sentence him to death.
16 But I answered, 'When a man is accused of a crime, Romans do not hand him over until he has been allowed to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.'
17 So when these Jews came here to Caesarea for the trial, I did not waste time. The next day I sat on the judge's seat and commanded that the man be brought in.
18 The Jews stood up and accused him, but not of any serious crime as I thought they would.
19 The things they said were about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who died. But Paul said that he is still alive.
20 Not knowing how to find out about these questions, I asked Paul, 'Do you want to go to Jerusalem and be judged there?'
21 But he asked to be kept in Caesarea. He wants a decision from the emperor. So I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar."
22 Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear this man myself." Festus said, "Tomorrow you will hear him."
23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice appeared with great show, acting like very important people. They went into the judgment room with the army leaders and the important men of Caesarea. Then Festus ordered the soldiers to bring Paul in.
24 Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are gathered here with us, you see this man. All the Jewish people, here and in Jerusalem, have complained to me about him, shouting that he should not live any longer.
25 When I judged him, I found no reason to order his death. But since he asked to be judged by Caesar, I decided to send him.
26 But I have nothing definite to write the emperor about him. So I have brought him before all of you -- especially you, King Agrippa. I hope you can question him and give me something to write.
27 I think it is foolish to send a prisoner to Caesar without telling what charges are against him."
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.