Acts 24
1 And after five days came down the high priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator called Tertullus, and laid their informations against Paul before the governor.
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.
2 And he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, Seeing we enjoy great peace through thee, and that excellent measures are executed for this nation by thy forethought,
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.
3 we receive [it] always and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4 But that I may not too much intrude on thy time, I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness.
But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5 For finding this man a pest, and moving sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazaraeans;
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,
6 who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also had seized, [and would have judged according to our law;
and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7 but Lysias, the chiliarch, coming up, took [him] away with great force out of our hands,
8 having commanded his accusers to come to thee; ] of whom thou canst thyself, in examining [him], know the certainty of all these things of which we accuse him.
By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9 And the Jews also joined in pressing the matter against [Paul], saying that these things were so.
The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10 But Paul, the governor having beckoned to him to speak, answered, Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge to this nation, I answer readily as to the things which concern myself.
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.
11 As thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem,
You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 and neither in the temple did they find me discoursing to any one, or making any tumultuous gathering together of the crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;
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.
13 neither can they make good the things of which they now accuse me.
Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 But this I avow to thee, that in the way which they call sect, so I serve my fathers' God, believing all things which are written throughout the law, and in the prophets;
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,
15 having hope towards God, which they themselves also receive, that there is to be a resurrection both of just and unjust.
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.
16 For this cause I also exercise [myself] to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men.
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 And after a lapse of many years I arrived, bringing alms to my nation, and offerings.
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 Whereupon they found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia,
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
19 who ought to appear before thee and accuse, if they have anything against me;
who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council,
Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 [other] than concerning this one voice which I cried standing amongst them: I am judged this day by you touching [the] resurrection of [the] dead.
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.’”
22 And Felix, knowing accurately the things concerning the way, adjourned them, saying, When Lysias the chiliarch is come down I will determine your affair;
Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23 ordering the centurion to keep him, and that he should have freedom, and to hinder none of his friends to minister to him.
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24 And after certain days, Felix having arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
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.
25 And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix, being filled with fear, answered, Go for the present, and when I get an opportunity I will send for thee;
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.”
26 hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him.
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27 But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their favour, left Paul bound.
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
