Acts 24
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down, with some of the ancients, and one Tertullus an orator, who went to the governor against Paul.
2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: Whereas through thee we live in much peace, and many things are rectified by thy providence,
3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.
4 But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words.
5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
We have found this to be a pestilent man, and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.
But Lysias the tribune coming upon us, with great violence took him away out of our hands;
8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
And the Jews also added, and said that these things were so.
10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
Then Paul answered, (the governor making a sign to him to speak: ) Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I will with good courage answer for myself.
11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
For thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days, since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:
12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man, or causing any concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
But this I confess to thee, that according to the way, which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets:
15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.
16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence toward God, and towards men.
17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings, and vows.
18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had any thing against me:
20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
Or let these men themselves say, if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,
21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you.
22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.
23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
And he commanded a centurion to keep him, and that he should be easy, and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him.
24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul, and heard of him the faith, that is in Christ Jesus.
25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
And as he treated of justice, and chastity, and of the judgment to come, Felix being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee.
26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
Hoping also withal, that money should be given him by Paul; for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
