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 certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed 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 when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation,
3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a 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,
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold:
8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming 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.
And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do cheerfully make my defence:
11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
seeing that thou canst take knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at 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 stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
Neither can they prove to 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 unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in 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 toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Herein do I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men alway.
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:
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
amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were] certain Jews from Asia—
19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found, when I stood 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, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.
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.”
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
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 gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid 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.
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith 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 reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
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.
He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed 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 fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
