Acts 24
1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
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.
2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,
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,
3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
both in every way and in every place we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with the utmost gratitude.
4 But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
But so that I may not detain yoʋ any further, I request that, in yoʋr forbearance, yoʋ would hear us briefly.
5 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.
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.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him.
8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
By examining him yoʋrself yoʋ will be able to learn the truth about all these accusations we are making against him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
The Jews also joined in the accusation, claiming that these things were so.
10 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,
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.
11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
Yoʋ can ascertain that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12 In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
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.
13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
Nor can they offer any proof against me concerning the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to 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;
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,
15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
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.
16 In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
Because of this I strive the way I do, always having a clear conscience before God and men.
17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
After being away for many years, I came to bring charitable gifts to my nation along with offerings.
18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
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.
19 They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.
They ought to be here before yoʋ and make an accusation if they have anything against me.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
Or these men themselves should state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”
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.’”
22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
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.”
23 He ordered the centurion that Paul 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.
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.
24 After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
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.
25 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.”
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.”
26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.
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.
27 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.
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.
