Acts 24

1 Now after fiue dayes, Ananias the hie Priest came downe with the Elders, and with Tertullus a certaine oratour, which appeared before the Gouernour 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 And when he was called foorth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that we haue obtained great quietnesse through thee, and that many worthy things are done vnto this nation through thy prouidence,

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 We acknowledge it wholy, and in all places most noble Felix, with all thankes,

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

4 But that I be not tedious vnto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest heare vs of thy courtesie a fewe wordes.

But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 Certainely we haue found this man a pestilent fellowe, and a moouer of sedition among all the Iewes throughout the world, and a chiefe maintainer of the secte of the Nazarites:

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 hath gone about to pollute the Temple: therefore wee tooke him, and woulde haue iudged him according to our Lawe:

who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold:

7 But the chiefe captaine Lysias came vpon vs, and with great violence tooke him out of our handes,

8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt inquire) know all these things whereof we accuse him.

from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Iewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was so.

And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.

10 Then Paul, after that the gouernour had beckened vnto him that hee shoulde speake, answered, I do the more gladly answere for my selfe, for as much as I knowe that thou hast bene of many yeres a iudge vnto this nation,

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 cheerfully make my defence:

11 Seeing that thou mayest knowe, that there are but twelue dayes since I came vp to worship in Hierusalem.

seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:

12 And they neither found mee in the Temple disputing with any man, neither making vproare among the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the citie.

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 Neither can they proue the things, whereof they now accuse me.

Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confesse vnto thee, that after the way (which they call heresie) so worship I the God of my fathers, beleeuing all things which are written in the Lawe and 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 haue hope towardes God, that the resurrection of the dead, which they themselues looke for also, shalbe both of iust and vniust.

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

16 And herein I endeuour my selfe to haue alway a cleare conscience towarde God, and toward men.

Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

17 Now after many yeres, I came and brought almes to my nation and offerings.

Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:

18 At what time, certaine Iewes of Asia founde mee purified in the Temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

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 haue bene present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me.

who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

20 Or let these themselues say, if they haue found any vniust thing in mee, while I stoode in the Council,

Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,

21 Except it be for this one voyce, that I cried standing among them, Of the resurrection of the dead am I accused of you this day.

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 Nowe when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said, When I shall more perfectly know the things which concerne this way, by the comming of Lysias the chiefe Captaine, I will decise your matter.

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 Then hee commanded a Centurion to keepe Paul, and that he should haue ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister vnto him, or to come vnto him.

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 And after certaine dayes, came Felix with his wife Drusilla, which was a Iewesse, and he called foorth Paul, and heard him of the faith in Christ.

But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

25 And as he disputed of righteousnes and temperance, and of the iudgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I haue conuenient time, I will call for thee.

And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, 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 Hee hoped also that money shoulde haue bene giuen him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, and communed 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 When two yeeres were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix roume: and Felix willing to get fauour of the Iewes, 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.