⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.’^[a](A)

³ So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honourable^(A) Theophilus,^(B)

²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit,^[a] he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism.^(A)

¹⁵ So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you^[a] as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.’^(A)

²⁰ ‘The Jews,’ he said, ‘have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful enquiry about him.

The Verdict Postponed

²² Since Felix was well informed about the Way,^(A) he adjourned the hearing, saying, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.’

Consistency in the Christian Life

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise – 

² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord^(A) will come just like a thief^(B) in the night.