Acts 24
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with the elders and an attorney named Tertullus. They presented their case against Paul to the governor.
And after five days, the high-priest Ananias came down with the elders, and one Tertulius an orator, who appeared before the governor against Paul.
2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to present his case before Felix, saying, “Since we have experienced much peace because of yoʋ, and prosperity is coming to this nation by yoʋr foresight,
And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "As by thee we enjoy much peace, and glorious things are done to this nation by thy prudent administration,
3 both in every way and in every place we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with the utmost gratitude.
we acknowledge it upon all occasions and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 But so that I may not detain yoʋ any further, I request that, in yoʋr forbearance, yoʋ would hear us briefly.
But that I may not trespass upon thee too far, I beg thou wouldst hear us a few words with thy wonted goodness.
5 For we have found this man to be a pestilent fellow, an instigator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
For having found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him.
and attempting to profane the temple, we apprehended him, and would have judged him according to our law.
But Lysias the tribune came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee:
8 By examining him yoʋrself yoʋ will be able to learn the truth about all these accusations we are making against him.”
from whom thou mayst thyself by examining him come to the knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him."
9 The Jews also joined in the accusation, claiming that these things were so.
And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul responded, “Knowing that yoʋ have been a judge over this nation for many years, I all the more cheerfully make my defense concerning these charges against me.
Then Paul, when the governor permitted him to speak, answered in this manner, "As I know that thou hast been many years a judge to this nation, I do the more chearfully answer for myself:
11 Yoʋ can ascertain that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
because thou mayst know, that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
12 Neither in the temple courts, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd.
and they neither found me disputing with any one in the temple, or making sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Nor can they offer any proof against me concerning the things of which they now accuse me.
nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But I confess this to yoʋ, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is written throughout the Law and in the Prophets,
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way, which they call heresy, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law, and the prophets:
15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.
having hope in God, (which they themselves also expect) that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 Because of this I strive the way I do, always having a clear conscience before God and men.
And on this account do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men.
17 After being away for many years, I came to bring charitable gifts to my nation along with offerings.
Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me in the temple courts as I was completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or commotion.
Upon which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude nor with tumult:
19 They ought to be here before yoʋ and make an accusation if they have anything against me.
who ought to have been here before thee, and make good their charge, if they had any thing against me.
20 Or these men themselves should state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
Or let these themselves say, if they found any crime in me, when I stood before the sanhedrim;
21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is regarding the resurrection of the dead that I am being tried by you today.’”
unless for this one expression, that I cried out when I stood among them, For the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day."
22 After hearing these things, Felix, who knew the facts concerning the Way in great detail, had them adjourn, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”
And when Felix heard these things he put them off, (for he had been more particularly informed concerning this way of religion, ) and said, When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will thoroughly examine your matters.
23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to allow him a certain measure of freedom and not to prevent his own people from attending to his needs or visiting him.
And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul secure, and to let him have some liberty, and to hinder none of his friends from assisting him or coming to him.
24 After several days, when Felix came back with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ.
Some days after Felix coming with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning faith in Christ.
25 But as Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said in response, “Go away for now, and when I get an opportunity I will call for yoʋ.”
And as he was reasoning of justice, temperance, and a future judgement, Felix trembled, and said, Go thy way for this time, and I will take a proper opportunity to call for thee again.
26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would give him money, so that he might release him. So he would send for Paul quite often and converse with him.
And hoping also that money would be given him by Paul, that he might discharge him; he sent for him the more frequently, and conversed with him.
27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
But after two years Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; and being willing to gain favor with the Jews lest Paul confined.
