Acts 24
1 Now after fiue dayes, Ananias the hie Priest came downe with the Elders, and with Tertullus a certaine oratour, which appeared before the Gouernour against Paul.
Five days later Ananias the high priest arrived with some of the Jewish leaders, and with a lawyer called Tertullus. They presented formal charges against Paul to the governor.
2 And when he was called foorth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that we haue obtained great quietnesse through thee, and that many worthy things are done vnto this nation through thy prouidence,
When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began making his case against him. He said, “Your Excellency Governor Felix, we have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and as a result of your wise judgment reforms have been enacted for the benefit of the nation.
3 We acknowledge it wholy, and in all places most noble Felix, with all thankes,
All of us throughout the country are so very grateful to you for this.
4 But that I be not tedious vnto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest heare vs of thy courtesie a fewe wordes.
But in order not to bore you, please be so kind as to give us your attention for a short while.
5 Certainely we haue found this man a pestilent fellowe, and a moouer of sedition among all the Iewes throughout the world, and a chiefe maintainer of the secte of the Nazarites:
We discovered that this man is a real pest, stirring up rebellions among Jews all over the world, a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.
6 And hath gone about to pollute the Temple: therefore wee tooke him, and woulde haue iudged him according to our Lawe:
He tried to defile the Temple, so we arrested him.
7 But the chiefe captaine Lysias came vpon vs, and with great violence tooke him out of our handes,
8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt inquire) know all these things whereof we accuse him.
By interrogating him yourself you will discover the truth of our accusations.”
9 And the Iewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was so.
The Jews joined in, saying that this was all true.
10 Then Paul, after that the gouernour had beckened vnto him that hee shoulde speake, answered, I do the more gladly answere for my selfe, for as much as I knowe that thou hast bene of many yeres a iudge vnto this nation,
The Governor motioned for Paul to respond. “Recognizing you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense,” Paul began.
11 Seeing that thou mayest knowe, that there are but twelue dayes since I came vp to worship in Hierusalem.
“You can easily verify that I arrived in Jerusalem to worship just twelve days ago.
12 And they neither found mee in the Temple disputing with any man, neither making vproare among the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the citie.
Nobody found me arguing in the Temple with anyone, or inciting people to riot in any synagogue or anywhere in the city.
13 Neither can they proue the things, whereof they now accuse me.
Nor can they prove to you any of their accusations against me.
14 But this I confesse vnto thee, that after the way (which they call heresie) so worship I the God of my fathers, beleeuing all things which are written in the Lawe and the Prophets,
But I will admit this to you: I serve the God of our fathers following the beliefs of the Way, which they call a heretical sect. I believe everything the law teaches and what is written in the books of the prophets.
15 And haue hope towardes God, that the resurrection of the dead, which they themselues looke for also, shalbe both of iust and vniust.
I have the same hope in God that they do, believing that there will be a resurrection of the good and the wicked.
16 And herein I endeuour my selfe to haue alway a cleare conscience towarde God, and toward men.
Consequently I try to make sure I always have a clear conscience before God and everyone.
17 Now after many yeres, I came and brought almes to my nation and offerings.
Having been away for a few years I returned to bring some money to help the poor and to give offerings to God.
18 At what time, certaine Iewes of Asia founde mee purified in the Temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
That's what they found me doing in the Temple—completing the ceremony of purification. There was no crowd and no disturbance.
19 Who ought to haue bene present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me.
But some Jews from the province of Asia were there, who should be present here before you today to bring their charges, if they have anything against me.
20 Or let these themselues say, if they haue found any vniust thing in mee, while I stoode in the Council,
Otherwise let these men here explain themselves what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voyce, that I cried standing among them, Of the resurrection of the dead am I accused of you this day.
except for the time when I shouted out to them, ‘I am on trial before you today because of my belief in the resurrection of the dead.’”
22 Nowe when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said, When I shall more perfectly know the things which concerne this way, by the comming of Lysias the chiefe Captaine, I will decise your matter.
Felix who was well-informed about the Way then adjourned the trial. “When Lysias the commander comes I will make my decision regarding your case,” he said.
23 Then hee commanded a Centurion to keepe Paul, and that he should haue ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister vnto him, or to come vnto him.
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some measure of freedom and to let Paul's friends care for him without interference.
24 And after certaine dayes, came Felix with his wife Drusilla, which was a Iewesse, and he called foorth Paul, and heard him of the faith in Christ.
Some days later Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about trusting in Christ Jesus.
25 And as he disputed of righteousnes and temperance, and of the iudgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I haue conuenient time, I will call for thee.
He discussed with them about living right, self-control, and the coming judgment. Felix became alarmed and told Paul, “You can go now, and I'll send for you when I get the chance.”
26 Hee hoped also that money shoulde haue bene giuen him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, and communed with him.
Hoping that Paul would give him a bribe, Felix often sent for Paul and talked with him.
27 When two yeeres were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix roume: and Felix willing to get fauour of the Iewes, left Paul bound.
Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. To stay in favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
