Acts 24
1 After five days, Ananias the chief priest, certain elders, and an orator named Tertullus went there. These men brought charges against Paul before the governor.
And after five days, Ananias the chief priest came down with the elders and a certain orator, Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.
2 When Paul stood before the governor, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor, “Because of you we have great peace, and your foresight brings good reform to our nation;
And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
3 so with all thankfulness we welcome everything that you do, most excellent Felix.
Since through you we enjoy great quietness, and since whatever has been undertaken for this nation has been conducted to a successful issue by your foresight at all times and in all places, we accept it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 So that I detain you no more, I ask you to briefly listen to me with kindness.
But that I may not detain you longer, I beseech you to hear us, in your clemency, a few words.
5 For we have found this man to be a pest and one who causes all the Jews throughout the world to rebel. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect.
For we have found this man a pest and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.
He also attempted to profane the temple; and we took him, and wished to judge him according to our law.
But Lysias the officer came, and, with much violence, took him out of our hands,
8 When you question Paul about all these matters, you will be able to learn about these charges we are bringing against him.”
and commanded his accusers to come before you. From him you may be able yourself, by examination, to gain a knowledge of all these tilings of which we accuse him.
9 The Jews also joined in the accusation, affirming that these charges were true.
And the Jews united in accusing him, saying that these things were so.
10 But when the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul answered, “I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, and so I gladly explain myself to you.
Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: Knowing that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully offer a defense for myself:
11 You will be able to find out that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
for you can understand that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 When they found me in the temple, I did not argue with anyone, and I did not stir up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
And they found me neither disputing with any one in the temple, nor exciting the multitude in the synagogue, or in the city:
13 They cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me.
nor are they able to prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But I admit this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, in that same way I serve the God of our fathers. I am faithful to all that is in the law and the writings of the prophets.
But this I confess to you, that after the way which they call sect, so do I worship the God of my fathers; believing all things that are written in the law and in the prophets;
15 I have the same confident hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
having hope in God, which they themselves also admit, that I there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust.
16 So I always strive to have a clear conscience before God and human beings.
And I do exercise myself in this, always to have a conscience void of offense toward God and man.
17 Now after many years I came to bring help to my nation and gifts of money.
But, after many years, I came to bring charitable gifts to my nation, and offerings.
18 When I did this, certain Jews from Asia found me in a purification ceremony in the temple, not with a crowd or an uproar.
While engaged in these things, certain Jews from Asia found me fulfilling my vow of abstinence in the temple, not with a multitude, nor with tumult.
19 These men ought to be before you now and say what they have against me, if they have anything.
These ought to be here before you, and bring their charge, if they have any, against me.
20 Or else, these same men should say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Jewish council,
Or let these persons here say, what offensive conduct they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrim,
21 unless it is about this one thing that I shouted out when I stood among them, 'It is concerning the resurrection of those who have died that I am on trial before you today.'”
except in this one expression, which I uttered while standing among them: With respect to the resurrection I of the dead, I am judged by you this day.
22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, ajourned the hearing. He said, “When Lysias the commander comes down from Jerusalem, I will decide your case.”
But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge of this way, put them off, and said: When Lysias the officer comes down, I will inquire fully into your matters.
23 Then he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept under guard, but to have some freedom so that none of his friends would be prevented from attending to his needs.
And he commanded the centurion to keep him under guard, and to relax the rigor of his confinement, and to forbid no one of his friends to minister or to come to him.
24 After some days, Felix returned with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and he heard from him about faith in Christ Jesus.
And, after some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 But when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now. But when I have the opportunity later on, I will send for you.”
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered: For the present withdraw; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.
26 At the same time he wanted Paul to give money to him, so he often sent for him and spoke with him.
He hoped, at the same time, that money would have been given him by Paul, to release him. For this reason, he sent for him very frequently, and conversed with him.
27 But when two years passed, Porcius Festus became the governor after Felix, but Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul to continue under guard.
But, after two years, Felix received Portius Festus as his successor; and Felix, wishing to confer a favor on the Jews, left Paul bound.
