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 some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.

2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by your foresight reforms are coming to this nation,

When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.

3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

4 But, that I do not delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to 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.

We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. And we would have judged him according to our law,

and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

7 but the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

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 Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.

11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 In the temple they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

14 But this I confess to you, that after 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;

I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust.

and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

16 This being so, I also do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and people.

In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia

19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

who ought to appear before you and bring charges, 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,

Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21 unless it is for this one thing that I shouted out standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today.'"

unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before 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."

Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

23 He ordered the centurion that he 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.

He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was Jewish, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

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."

As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked 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.

After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.