Acts 24

1 SO after five days Ananias the high-priest went down with the elders, and a certain rhetorician, Tertullus, who made their appearance before the governor against Paul.

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 being summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Since by thee we enjoy so much peace, and such noble acts are happily performed for this nation by thy provident administration,

When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,

3 always and in all places we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.

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

4 Now that I may not be unnecessarily tedious to thee, I entreat thee to hear us briefly with thy wonted candour.

But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

5 For we found this fellow a pest to society, and exciting sedition among all the Jews throughout the whole world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazareans:

For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections amongst all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6 who even attempted to profane the temple: we seized him therefore, and intended to judge him according to our own law.

He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.

7 But Lysias the tribune came, and with great violence took him out of our hands,

8 commanding his accusers to appear before thee: whereby thou mayest thyself be able after examination to know the certainty of those things whereof we accuse him.

By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

9 Then the Jews also joined in affirming, that these things were so.

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

10 But Paul (the governor having made him a sign to speak) replied, Knowing that for so many years thou hast been the judge of this nation, I with the more confidence offer my defence respecting the matters which concern me:

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 defence,

11 as thou mayest be ascertained, that it is not more than twelve days ago since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

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

12 And neither in the temple found they me disputing with any man, nor raising any sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

13 neither can they produce any proof of the facts of which they accuse me.

Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call a sect, so worship I the God of our ancestors, believing all things that are written in the law, and in the prophets:

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the Torah, and which are written in the Prophets;

15 and having hope in God, the same which they also profess to look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust.

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

16 For this cause indeed I exert my utmost care to keep my conscience ever unoffending towards God and towards man.

In this I also practise always having a conscience void of offence towards God and men.

17 Now after many years absence I was returned bringing alms to my countrymen, and oblations to the temple.

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

18 In the discharge of which offices certain Jews of Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a multitude, nor with any tumult.

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

19 Who ought to have appeared before thee, and prefer their accusation, if they had any thing against me.

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

20 Or let the persons themselves here present say, if they found any thing criminal in me, when I stood before the sanhedrim,

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

21 except for this one sentence, which I uttered aloud when I was standing among them, For the resurrection of the dead am I this day judged by you.

unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing amongst them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

22 When Felix then heard these things he put them off, (for he knew very exactly all that related to that way, ) saying, When Lysias the tribune is come down, I will inquire thoroughly into the matters between you.

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 And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.

He ordered the centurion that Paul 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 Now after some days, Felix returning with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Messiah Yeshua.

25 And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment which is ready to be revealed, Felix being greatly terrified, replied, Go, for the present, I will some time hence take another opportunity of calling for thee.

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement 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 Indeed he had also entertained hope that money would be given him by Paul, in order to release him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him.

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

27 But when two years were ended, Felix had Portius Festus appointed for his successor: and willing to curry favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in chains.

But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favour with the Judeans, Felix left Paul in bonds.