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.

After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor 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 he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by your foresight reforms are coming to this nation,

3 we receive [it] always and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 But that I may not too much intrude on thy time, I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness.

But, that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

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;

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.

6 who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also had seized, [and would have judged according to our law;

He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. And we would have judged him according to our law,

7 but Lysias, the chiliarch, coming up, took [him] away with great force out of our hands,

but the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away 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.

commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

9 And the Jews also joined in pressing the matter against [Paul], saying that these things were so.

The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

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 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,

11 As thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem,

seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

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;

In the temple they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either 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 the things of which they now accuse 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;

But this I confess to you, that after 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;

15 having hope towards God, which they themselves also receive, that there is to be a resurrection both of just and unjust.

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust.

16 For this cause I also exercise [myself] to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men.

This being so, I also do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and people.

17 And after a lapse of many years I arrived, bringing alms to my nation, and offerings.

Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

18 Whereupon they found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia,

amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

19 who ought to appear before thee and accuse, if they have anything against me;

They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

20 or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council,

Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

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 is for this one thing that I shouted out standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged 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;

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, 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 that he 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.

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.

But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was Jewish, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the 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 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."

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.

Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul. Therefore also he sent for him more often, 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.

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.