Acts 24

¹Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul.

²And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence,

³we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything.

⁴But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.

⁵We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.

⁶And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law.

⁷But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands,

⁸ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him.”

⁹And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so.

¹⁰Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul.

¹¹For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

¹²And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.

¹³And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me.

¹⁴But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets,

¹⁵having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust.

¹⁶And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offense toward God and toward men.

¹⁷Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows,

¹⁸through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion.

¹⁹But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.

²⁰Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council.

²¹For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you.”

²²Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, “When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing.”

²³And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him.

²⁴Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

²⁵And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: “For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you.”

²⁶He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him.

²⁷Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.

Acts 24

¹And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with some ancients and one Tertullus, an orator, who went to the governor against Paul.

²And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: Whereas, through thee we live in much peace and many things are rectified by thy providence,

³We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.

⁴But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in a few words.

⁵We have found this to be a pestilent man and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world: and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.

⁶Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.

⁷But Lysias the tribune, coming upon us with great violence, took him away out of our hands;

⁸Commanding his accusers to come to thee. Of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

⁹And the Jews also added and said that these things were so.

¹⁰Then Paul answered (the governor making a sign to him to speak): Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I will with good courage answer for myself.

¹¹For thou mayest understand that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:

¹²And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or causing any concourse of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.

¹³Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

¹⁴But this I confess to thee that according to the way which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets:

¹⁵Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.

¹⁶And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence, towards God and towards men.

¹⁷Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings and vows.

¹⁸In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude nor with tumult.

¹⁹But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee and to accuse, if they had anything against me:

²⁰Or let these men themselves say if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,

²¹Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you.

²²And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.

²³And he commanded a centurion to keep him: and that he should be easy and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him.

²⁴And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul and heard of him the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

²⁵And as he treated of justice and chastity and of the judgment to come, Felix, being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee.

²⁶Hoping also withal that money should be given him by Paul: for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.

²⁷But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.