Actuum Apostolorum 24
1 Post quinque autem dies descendit princeps sacerdotum, Ananias, cum senioribus quibusdam, et Tertullo quodam oratore, qui adierunt praesidem adversus Paulum.
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 Et citato Paulo coepit accusare Tertullus, dicens: Cum in multa pace agamus per te, et multa corrigantur per tuam providentiam;
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 semper et ubique suscipimus, optime Felix, cum omni gratiarum actione.
both in every way and in every place we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with the utmost gratitude.
4 Ne diutius autem te protraham, oro, breviter ut audias nos pro tua clementia.
But so that I may not detain yoʋ any further, I request that, in yoʋr forbearance, yoʋ would hear us briefly.
5 Invenimus hunc hominem pestiferum, et concitantem seditiones omnibus Iudaeis in universo orbe, et auctorem seditionis sectae Nazarenorum:
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 qui etiam templum violare conatus est, quem et apprehensum voluimus secundum legem nostram iudicare.
He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him.
7 Superveniens autem tribunus Lysias, cum vi magna eripuit eum de manibus nostris,
8 iubens accusatores eius ad te venire: a quo poteris ipse iudicans, de omnibus istis cognoscere, de quibus nos accusamus eum.
By examining him yoʋrself yoʋ will be able to learn the truth about all these accusations we are making against him.”
9 Adiecerunt autem et Iudaei, dicentes haec ita se habere.
The Jews also joined in the accusation, claiming that these things were so.
10 Respondit autem Paulus, (annuente sibi Praeside dicere) Ex multis annis te esse iudicem genti huic sciens, bono animo pro me satisfaciam.
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 Potes enim cognoscere quia non plus sunt mihi dies quam duodecim, ex quo ascendi adorare in Ierusalem:
Yoʋ can ascertain that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12 et neque in templo invenerunt me cum aliquo disputantem, aut concursum facientem turbae, neque in synagogis, neque in civitate:
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 neque probare possunt tibi de quibus nunc me accusant.
Nor can they offer any proof against me concerning the things of which they now accuse me.
14 Confiteor autem hoc tibi, quod secundum sectam, quam dicunt haeresim, sic deservio Patri, et Deo meo, credens omnibus, quae in Lege, et Prophetis scripta sunt:
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 spem habens in Deum, quam et hi ipsi expectant, resurrectionem futuram iustorum, et iniquorum.
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 hoc et ipse studeo sine offendiculo conscientiam habere ad Deum, et ad homines semper.
Because of this I strive the way I do, always having a clear conscience before God and men.
17 Post annos autem plures eleemosynas facturus in gentem meam, veni, et oblationes, et vota,
After being away for many years, I came to bring charitable gifts to my nation along with offerings.
18 in quibus invenerunt me purificatum in templo: non cum turba, neque cum tumultu et apprehenderunt me clamantes, et dicentes: Tolle inimicum nostrum.
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 Quidam autem ex Asia Iudaei, quos oportebat apud te praesto esse, et accusare siquid haberent adversum me:
They ought to be here before yoʋ and make an accusation if they have anything against me.
20 aut hi ipsi dicant siquid invenerunt in me iniquitatis cum stem in concilio,
Or these men themselves should state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 nisi de una hac solummodo voce, qua clamavi inter eos stans: Quoniam de resurrectione mortuorum ego iudicor hodie a vobis.
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 Distulit autem illos Felix, certissime sciens de via hac, dicens: Cum Tribunus Lysias descenderit, audiam vos.
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 Iussitque Centurioni custodire eum, et habere requiem, nec quemquam de suis prohibere ministrare ei.
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 Post aliquot autem dies veniens Felix cum Drusilla uxore sua, quae erat Iudaea, vocavit Paulum, et audivit ab eo fidem, quae est in Christum Iesum.
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 Disputante autem illo de iustitia, et castitate, et de iudicio futuro, tremefactus Felix respondit: Quod nunc attinet, vade: tempore autem opportuno accersiam te:
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 simul et sperans, quod pecunia ei daretur a Paulo, propter quod et frequenter accersiens eum, loquebatur cum eo.
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 Biennio autem expleto, accepit successorem Felix Portium Festum. Volens autem gratiam praestare Iudaeis Felix, reliquit Paulum vinctum.
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.
