Acts 24

1 Five days later Ananias the high priest, [having heard that Paul was now in Caesarea], went down [there from Jerusalem], along with some [other Jewish] elders and a lawyer [whose name was] Tertullus. There they formally told the governor what Paul had done [that they considered] wrong.

Cinco días más tarde, Ananías, el sumo sacerdote, llegó con algunos de los líderes judíos, y con un abogado llamado Tértulo. Y presentaron acusaciones formales contra Pablo ante el gobernador.

2 [The governor commanded] Paul to be brought {[a soldier] to bring Paul} in. [When Paul arrived], Tertullus began to accuse him. He said [to the governor], “Honorable Governor Felix, during the many years that you [(sg)] have ruled us, we [(exc)] have lived well/peacefully. By planning wisely, you have improved many things in this province.

Y cuando Pablo fue llamado, Tértulo comenzó a presentar el caso contra él. Y dijo: “Su Excelencia Gobernador Félix, hemos disfrutado de un largo período en paz bajo su gobierno, y como resultado de su sabio juicio se han hecho reformas para el beneficio de la nación.

3 [Therefore], sir, we [(exc)] always gratefully acknowledge everything that [you have done] for all [of us], wherever [you have done those things].

Todos en el país estamos muy agradecidos por esto.

4 But, so that I will not take up too much of your time, I earnestly request that you kindly listen to me very briefly.

“Pero para no cansarlo, por favor sea amable en prestarnos atención por un momento.

5 We [(exc)] have observed that this man, [wherever he goes], causes trouble. [Specifically], he causes all the Jews everywhere [HYP] to riot. [Also], he leads the entire group [whom people call] ‘the followers of the Nazarene’, a [false] sect.

Nos dimos cuenta de que este hombre es una verdadera peste, levantando rebeliones entre los judíos, y es cabecilla de la secta nazarena.

6 He even tried to do things in the Temple [in Jerusalem] that would (defile it/make it unholy). So we [(exc)] seized him.

Trató de contaminar el Templo y por eso lo arrestamos.

7 But Lysias, the commander at the Roman fort, came with his soldiers and forcefully took him away from us [SYN].

8 Lysias also commanded Paul’s accusers to come here and accuse Paul before you. If you question him yourself, you will be able to learn that all these things about which we are accusing him are true.”

Al interrogarlo, usted mismo descubrirá la verdad de nuestras acusaciones”.

9 When the Jewish [leaders who were listening heard that, they] told [the governor that] what Tertullus had said was true.

Y los judíos se le unieron, diciendo que todo esto era verdad.

10 Then the governor motioned with [his hand to Paul that] he should speak. So Paul replied. He said, “[Governor Felix, I know that you(sg) have judged this Jewish] province for many years. Therefore I gladly defend myself, confident [that you will listen to me and will judge me fairly].

Entonces el gobernador hizo señas a Pablo para que respondiera. “Reconociendo que usted ha sido juez de esta nación durante muchos años, gustosamente presentaré mi defensa”, comenzó Pablo.

11 You [(sg)] can [easily] ascertain that (it has not been more than twelve days since/only twelve days ago) I went up went up to Jerusalem to worship [God. That is not enough time to cause a lot of trouble].

“Usted puede verificar fácilmente que yo llegué a Jerusalén para adorar hace apenas doce años.

12 No one [can claim legitimately that they] saw me arguing with anyone at the Temple courts [because I did not do that. No one can claim legitimately that they saw me] causing people to riot in [any Jewish meeting place], or causing trouble anywhere [else] in [Jerusalem] city, [because I did not do that].

Nadie me encontró nunca discutiendo en el Templo con nadie, o incitando a la gente a amotinarse en ninguna sinagoga o en ninguna otra parte de la ciudad.

13 So they cannot prove to you the things about which they are now accusing me.

Tampoco pueden probarle a usted ninguna de sus demás acusaciones contra mí.

14 But I admit to you [(sg) that this is true]: I do worship the God that our ancestors [worshipped. It is true that] I follow the way that [Jesus taught us]. The Jewish leaders call that a false religion/teaching. I also believe everything that was written [by Moses] {that [Moses wrote]} in the laws that [God gave him], and everything that was written by the [other] prophets {that the [other] prophets wrote} [in their books] [MTY].

“Pero le admitiré esto: Sirvo al Dios de nuestros padres, siguiendo las creencias de El Camino, a lo que ellos llaman una secta hereje. Yo creo en todo lo que la ley enseña y lo que está escrito en los libros de los profetas.

15 I confidently expect, just like [some of] these men also expect, that [some day God] will cause everyone who has died to become alive again. He will (cause to become alive again/raise from the dead) both those who were righteous and those who were wicked.

Tengo la misma esperanza en Dios que ellos tienen, creyendo que habrá una resurrección de los buenos y de los malvados.

16 [Because I am confidently waiting for that day], I always try to do what pleases God and what other people think is right.

Por ello trato de asegurarme de tener siempre una conciencia tranquila ante Dios y ante todos.

17 After I [had been in other places for] several years, I returned to Jerusalem. I went there to deliver some money to my fellow Jews [who are] poor, and to offer sacrifices [to God].

“Después de haber estado lejos durante unos años, regresé para traer dinero para ayudar a los pobres y para dar ofrendas a Dios.

18 Some [Jews] saw me in the temple [courts] after I had completed the ritual by which a person is made {that makes a person} pure. There was no crowd with me, and I was not causing [people] to riot.

Eso fue lo que me encontraron haciendo, culminando la ceremonia de purificación. Y no había ninguna multitud o disturbio.

19 But it was some [other] Jews [who had come] from Asia [province who really caused people to riot. They] should be here in front of you [(sg)] to accuse me, if they thought that I [did] something [wrong].

Pero ciertos judíos de la provincia de Asia estaban allí, y que deberían estar aquí presentes ante usted para presentar sus cargos contra mí, si es que tienen alguno.

20 [But if they] do not [want to do that] (OR, [But because they] are [not] here), these [Jewish] men who are here should tell you [(sg)] what [they think] I did that was wrong, when I [defended myself] before their Council.

De lo contrario, permita que estos hombres expliquen de qué crimen me hallaron culpable cuando estuve ante el concilio,

21 [They might say that] one thing that I shouted as I stood before them [was wrong. What I said] was, ‘You are judging me today because I believe that [God] will (cause [all people] who have died to become alive again/raise [all people] from the dead).’”

excepto el hecho de que exclamé: ‘Estoy bajo juicio hoy porque creo en la resurrección de los muertos’”.

22 Felix already knew quite a lot about [what people called] ‘the way [of Jesus’]. But he did not let Paul or his accusers continue to speak. [Instead], he said [to them], “[Later], when Commander Lysias comes down here, I will decide these matters that concern you all.”

Entonces Félix, quien estaba bien informado sobre el Camino, aplazó el juicio. “Cuando el comandante Lisias venga, entonces tomaré mi decisión respecto a tu caso”, dijo.

23 Then he told the officer [who was guarding Paul] to [take Paul back to the prison and] make sure that he was guarded all the time. But he said that Paul was not to be chained {that the officer was not to fasten chains on him}, and if his friends came to visit him, [the officer] should allow them to help Paul [in any way that they wished].

Entonces ordenó al centurión que mantuviera a Pablo bajo custodia pero que le permitiera tener algunas medidas de libertad y que dejara que sus amigos cuidaran de él sin restricciones.

24 Several days later Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew, came [back to Caesarea after having been away for a few days]. Felix [commanded] Paul to be brought in {[a soldier to] bring Paul in}. Then Felix listened to what Paul [said to him]. Paul spoke about what [Christians] believe about the Messiah Jesus.

Algunos días después, regresó junto a su esposa Drusila, quien era judía. Y envió a buscar a Pablo y lo escuchó hablar sobre la fe en Jesucristo.

25 Paul explained [to them about what God requires people] to do in order to please him. [He also explained about God requiring people to] control how they act. [Paul also told him that there will be a time when God] will judge [people]. Felix became alarmed [after hearing those things. So] he said to Paul, “That is all I [want to hear] now. When there is a time that is convenient I will ask you [(sg)] to come [to me again].”

Y Pablo debatió con ellos sobre vivir rectamente, sobre el dominio propio, y sobre el juicio venidero. Félix se intranquilizó y le dijo a Pablo: “Vete ahora, y enviaré a buscarte cuando tenga la oportunidad”.

26 [Felix said that because] he hoped that Paul would give him some money [to allow Paul to get out of prison]. So he repeatedly sent for Paul to come, and Paul [repeatedly went and] talked with him. [But he] did not [give Felix any money, and Felix did not command his soldiers to release Paul from prison].

Esperando que Pablo lo sobornara con dinero, a menudo Félix mandaba a buscar a Pablo y hablaba con él.

27 Felix let Paul remain in prison, because he wanted to please the Jewish [leaders and he knew that they did not want him to release Paul]. But when two years had passed, Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix.

Pasaron dos años y Félix fue sucedido por Porcio Festo. Pero para mantener el favor de los judíos, Félix dejó a Pablo en la cárcel.