Acts 24
1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came with certain of the rulers, and an expert talker, one Tertullus; and they made a statement to Felix against Paul.
2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,
And when he had been sent for, Tertullus, starting his statement, said, Because by you we are living in peace, and through your wisdom wrongs are put right for this nation,
3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
In all things and in all places we are conscious of our great debt to you, most noble Felix.
4 But that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
But, so that I may not make you tired, I make a request to you of your mercy, to give hearing to a short statement.
5 For 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.
For this man, in our opinion, is a cause of trouble, a maker of attacks on the government among Jews through all the empire, and a chief mover in the society of the Nazarenes:
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
Who, in addition, was attempting to make the Temple unclean: whom we took,
8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
And from whom you will be able, by questioning him yourself, to get knowledge of all the things which we say against him.
9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
And the Jews were in agreement with his statement, saying that these things were so.
10 When 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,
Then when the ruler had given him a sign to make his answer, Paul said, Because I have knowledge that you have been a judge over this nation for a number of years, I am glad to make my answer:
11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
Seeing that you are able to make certain of the fact that it is not more than twelve days from the time when I came up to Jerusalem for worship;
12 In the temple they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
And they have not seen me in argument with any man in the Temple, or working up the feelings of the people, in the Synagogues or in the town:
13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
And they are not able to give facts in support of the things which they say against me now.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to 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;
But this I will say openly to you, that I do give worship to the God of our fathers after that Way, which to them is not the true religion: but I have belief in all the things which are in the law and in the books of the prophets:
15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Hoping in God for that which they themselves are looking for, that there will be a coming back from the dead for upright men and wrongdoers.
16 In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
And in this, I do my best at all times to have no reason for shame before God or men.
17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
Now after a number of years I came to give help and offerings to my nation:
18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
And having been made clean, I was in the Temple, but not with a great number of people, and not with noise: but there were certain Jews from Asia,
19 They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.
And it would have been better if they had come here to make a statement, if they have anything against me.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
Or let these men here present say what wrongdoing was seen in me when I was before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”
But only this one thing which I said among them in a loud voice, I am this day being judged on the question of the coming back from the dead.
22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
But Felix, who had a more detailed knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, When Lysias, the chief captain, comes down, I will give attention to your business.
23 He ordered the centurion that Paul 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.
And he gave orders to the captain to keep Paul under his control, and to let him have everything he had need of; and not to keep his friends from coming to see him.
24 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.
But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was of the Jews by birth, and sent for Paul, and gave hearing to him about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 As 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.”
And while he was talking about righteousness and self-control and the judging which was to come, Felix had great fear and said, Go away for the present, and when the right time comes I will send for you.
26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.
For he was hoping that Paul would give him money: so he sent for him more frequently and had talk with him.
27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
But after two years Porcius Festus took the place of Felix, who, desiring to have the approval of the Jews, kept Paul in chains.
