Acts 24
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Five days afterward the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a barrister named Tertullus. They laid an information with the Governor against Paul;
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
and, when the hearing came on, Tertullus began his speech for the prosecution.
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
“We owe it to your Excellency,” he said, “that we are enjoying profound peace, and we owe it to your foresight that this nation is constantly securing reforms – advantages which we very gratefully accept at all times and places.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
But – not to be tedious – I beg you, with your accustomed fairness, to listen to a brief statement of our case.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
We have found this man a public pest; he is one who stirs up disputes among our people all the world over, and is a ringleader of the Nazarene heretics.
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
He even attempted to desecrate the Temple itself, but we caught him;
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
and you will be able, by examining him on all these points, to satisfy yourself as to the charges which we are bringing against him.”
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
The Jewish crowd also joined in the attack and bore out his statements.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
On a sign from the Governor, Paul made this reply: “Knowing, as I do, for how many years you have acted as judge to this nation, it is with confidence that I undertake my own defense.
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
For you can easily verify that it is not more than twelve days ago that I went up to worship at Jerusalem,
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
where my prosecutors never found me holding discussions with anyone, or causing a crowd to collect – either in the Temple, or in the synagogues, or about the city;
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
and they cannot establish the charges which they are now making against me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
This, however, I do acknowledge to you, that it is as a believer in the Way which they call heretical, that I worship the God of my ancestors. At the same time, I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the prophets;
15 And have hope toward Elohim, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
and I have a hope that rests in God – a hope which they also cherish – that there will one day be a resurrection of good and bad alike.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward Elohim, and toward men.
This being so, I strive at all times to keep my conscience clear before both God and people.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
After some years’ absence I had come to bring charitable gifts to my nation, and to make offerings;
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
and it was while engaged in this that they found me in the Temple, after completing a period of purification, but not with any crowd or disorder.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
There were, however, some Jews from Roman Asia who ought to have been here before you, and to have made any charge that they may have against me –
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
Or else let my opponents here say what they found wrong in me when I was before the Council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
except as to the one sentence that I shouted out as I stood among them – ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial before you today’.”
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Felix, however, adjourned the case – though he had a fairly accurate knowledge of all that concerned the Way – with the promise, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will give my decision in your case.”
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
So he gave orders to the centurion in charge of Paul to keep him in custody, but to relax the regulations, and not to prevent any of his personal friends from attending to his wants.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in the Messiah.
Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and, sending for Paul, listened to what he had to say about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
But, while Paul was speaking at length about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified, and interrupted him – “Go for the present, but, when I find an opportunity, I will send for you again.”
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
He was hoping, too, for a bribe from Paul, and so he used to send for him frequently and talk with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
But, after the lapse of two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and, wishing to gain popularity with the Jewish leaders, he left Paul a prisoner.
