Acts 24

1 And after five days, Ananias the high priest, with the Elders, and with Tertullus the orator, went down, and made a communication to the governor against Paul.

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.

2 And when he had been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, and to say:

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 to this nation by thy providence,

3 Through thee, we dwell in much tranquillity; and many reforms have come to this nation, under thy administration; and we all, in every place, receive thy grace, excellent Felix.

We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 But, not to weary thee with numerous particulars, I pray thee to hear our humbleness, in brief.

Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst of thy clemency hear us a few words.

5 For we have found this man to be an assassin, and a mover of sedition among all Jews in the whole land: for he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazareans.

For we have found this a pestilent man, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6 And he was disposed to pollute our temple. And having seized him we wished to judge him according to our law.

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But Lysias the Chiliarch came, and with great violence took him out of our hands, and sent him to thee.

But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took [him] out of our hands,

8 And he commanded his accusers to come before thee. And if thou wilt interrogate him, thou canst learn from him respecting all these things of which we accuse him.

Commanding his accusers to come to thee: by examining whom, thou thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also pleaded against him, saying that these things were so.

And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.

10 Then the governor made signs to Paul, that he should speak. And Paul answered and said: I know thee to have been a judge of this nation for many years, and I therefore cheerfully enter upon a defence of myself.

Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11 Because thou canst understand, that there have been but twelve days, since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And they did not find me talking with any person in the temple, nor collecting any company, either in their synagogues, or in the city.

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither exciting the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Nor have they the power to prove, before thee, the things of which they now accuse me.

Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14 But this indeed I acknowledge, that in that same doctrine of which they speak, I do serve the God of my fathers, believing all the things written in the law and in the prophets.

But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And I have a hope in God, which they also themselves expect, that there is to be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the wicked.

And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And for this reason, I also labor to have always a pure conscience before God, and before men.

And in this I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense towards God, and [towards] men.

17 And, after many years, I came to the people of my own nation, to impart alms, and to present an offering.

Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

18 And when I had purified myself, these men found me in the temple; not with a throng, nor with a tumult. But certain Jews, who came from Asia, were tumultuous;

Upon which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

19 who ought, with me, to stand before thee, and make accusation of their own affair.

Who ought to have been here before thee, and object if they had aught against me.

20 Or let these here present say, whether they found any offence in me, when I stood before their assembly;

Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil-doing in me, while I stood before the council,

21 except this one thing, that I cried, while standing in the midst of them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead, am I this day on trial before you.

Except it is for this one voice, that I cried, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22 And Felix, because he understood that way fully, deferred them, saying: When the Chiliarch shall come, I will give hearing between you.

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.

23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, at rest; and that no one of his acquaintances should be forbidden to minister to him.

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 to him.

24 And after a few days, Felix, and Drusilla his wife who was a Jewess, sent and called for Paul; and they heard him concerning faith in the Messiah.

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

25 And while he was discoursing with them on righteousness, and on holiness, and on the future judgment, Felix was filled with fear; and he said: For the present time, go: and when I have opportunity, I will send for thee.

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, depart for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 He hoped, moreover, that a present would be given him by Paul; and therefore, he often sent for him, and conversed with him.

He hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27 And when two years were fulfilled to him, another governor, whose name was Porcius Festus, came into his place. And Felix, that he might do the Jews a favor, left Paul a prisoner.

But after two years Porcius Festus came as successor to Felix: and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.