Acts 24
1 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.
After five days, Ananias the chief priest, certain elders, and an orator named Tertullus went there. These men brought charges against Paul before the governor.
2 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,
When Paul stood before the governor, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor, “Because of you we have great peace, and your foresight brings good reform to our nation;
3 We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.
so with all thankfulness we welcome everything that you do, most excellent Felix.
4 But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words.
So that I detain you no more, I ask you to briefly listen to me with kindness.
5 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.
For we have found this man to be a pest and one who causes all the Jews throughout the world to rebel. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect.
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.
He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.
7 But Lysias the tribune coming upon us, with great violence took him away out of our hands;
8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
When you question Paul about all these matters, you will be able to learn about these charges we are bringing against him.”
9 And the Jews also added, and said that these things were so.
The Jews also joined in the accusation, affirming that these charges were true.
10 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.
But when the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul answered, “I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, and so I gladly explain myself to you.
11 For thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days, since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:
You will be able to find out that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12 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:
When they found me in the temple, I did not argue with anyone, and I did not stir up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
13 Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
They cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me.
14 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:
But I admit this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, in that same way I serve the God of our fathers. I am faithful to all that is in the law and the writings of the prophets.
15 Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.
I have the same confident hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence toward God, and towards men.
So I always strive to have a clear conscience before God and human beings.
17 Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings, and vows.
Now after many years I came to bring help to my nation and gifts of money.
18 In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
When I did this, certain Jews from Asia found me in a purification ceremony in the temple, not with a crowd or an uproar.
19 But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had any thing against me:
These men ought to be before you now and say what they have against me, if they have anything.
20 Or let these men themselves say, if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,
Or else, these same men should say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Jewish council,
21 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.
unless it is about this one thing that I shouted out when I stood among them, 'It is concerning the resurrection of those who have died that I am on trial before you today.'”
22 And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.
Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, ajourned the hearing. He said, “When Lysias the commander comes down from Jerusalem, I will decide your case.”
23 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.
Then he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept under guard, but to have some freedom so that none of his friends would be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 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.
After some days, Felix returned with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and he heard from him about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 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.
But when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now. But when I have the opportunity later on, I will send for you.”
26 Hoping also withal, that money should be given him by Paul; for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
At the same time he wanted Paul to give money to him, so he often sent for him and spoke with him.
27 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.
But when two years passed, Porcius Festus became the governor after Felix, but Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul to continue under guard.
