Acts 24
1 And after five days Ananias, the high-priest, came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus; and they brought a complaint 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 when he had been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that improvements are in every way and everywhere taking place in this nation through thy foresight,
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 accept it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 But not to detain thee too long, I pray thee to hear us, in thy clemency, a few words.
But, that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
5 For we have found this man to be a pest, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes;
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, and we apprehended him;
He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. And we would have judged him according to our law,
but the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 and from him thou canst thyself ascertain by examination 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 the charges against him, affirming that these things were so.
The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Since I know that thou hast been for many years a judge for this nation, I answer for myself cheerfully;
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 for it is in thy power to ascertain that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
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 disputing with any one, or stirring up a tumult of the people, 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 nor can they prove 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 acknowledge to thee, that according to the way [[of belief]] which they call a sect, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and by 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 a hope in God, which they themselves also entertain, that there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous.
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust.
16 On this ground do I also myself strive to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.
This being so, I also do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and people.
17 And after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and to make offerings;
Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
18 in doing which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor with tumult; but certain Jews from Asia [[caused it]],
amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
19 who ought to be here before thee, and make their charge, if they had aught against me.
They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
20 Or, let these men themselves say what wrongdoing 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 except in relation to this one expression, which I uttered aloud while standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am tried before you this day.
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 But Felix, having an accurate knowledge of the matters relating to this way [[of belief]], put them off, and said, When Lysias the chief captain cometh down, I will thoroughly examine your case.
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 He also gave orders to the centurion to guard him, and let him have indulgence, and not to forbid any of his friends to do him service.
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 some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and 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 discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed, and answered, Go thy way for the present; and when I have a convenient season, I will call 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 He hoped also that money would be given him by Paul; on which account he sent for him the oftener, and conversed 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 after two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, 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.
