Acts, 24

1. Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor.

1. Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and an advocate named Tertullus, and they laid information against Paul before the governor.

2. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Since we have attained much peace through you, and reforms have been accomplished in this nation through your provident care,

2. Paul was called, and Tertullus opened for the prosecution, 'Your Excellency, Felix, the unbroken peace we enjoy and the reforms this nation owes to your foresight

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

3. are matters we accept, always and everywhere, with all gratitude.

4. But in order not to detain you further, I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness.

4. I do not want to take up too much of your time, but I urge you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing.

5. We found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans.

5. We have found this man a perfect pest; he stirs up trouble among Jews the world over and is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.

6. He even tried to desecrate our temple, but we arrested him.

6. He has even attempted to profane the Temple. We placed him under arrest.

7. .

7. 'I know that you have administered justice over this nation for many years, and I can therefore speak with confidence in my defence.

8. If you examine him you will be able to learn from him for yourself about everything of which we are accusing him."

8. If you ask him you can find out for yourself the truth of all our accusations against this man.'

9. The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these things were so.

9. The Jews supported him, asserting that these were the facts.

10. Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul replied, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and so I am pleased to make my defense before you.

10. When the governor motioned him to speak, Paul answered:

11. As you can verify, not more than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

11. As you can verify for yourself, it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem on pilgrimage,

12. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people.

12. and it is not true that they ever found me arguing with anyone or stirring up the mob, either in the Temple, in the synagogues, or about the town;

13. Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me.

13. neither can they give you any proof of the accusations they are making against me now.

14. But this I do admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors and I believe everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.

14. 'What I do admit to you is this: it is according to the Way, which they describe as a sect, that I worship the God of my ancestors, retaining my belief in all points of the Law and in what is written in the prophets;

15. I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous.

15. and I hold the same hope in God as they do that there will be a resurrection of the upright and the wicked alike.

16. Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

16. In these things, I, as much as they, do my best to keep a clear conscience at all times before God and everyone.

17. After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings.

17. 'After several years I came to bring relief-money to my nation and to make offerings;

18. While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification, in the temple without a crowd or disturbance.

18. it was in connection with these that they found me in the Temple; I had been purified, and there was no crowd involved, and no disturbance.

19. But some Jews from the province of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might have against me--

19. But some Jews from Asia -- these are the ones who should have appeared before you and accused me of whatever they had against me.

20. or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

20. At least let those who are present say what crime they held against me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21. unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that 'I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.'"

21. unless it were to do with this single claim, when I stood up among them and called out, "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today." '

22. Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way, postponed the trial, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall decide your case."

22. At this, Felix, who was fairly well informed about the Way, adjourned the case, saying, 'When Lysias the tribune comes down I will give judgement about your case.'

23. He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs.

23. He then gave orders to the centurion that Paul should be kept under arrest but free from restriction, and that none of his own people should be prevented from seeing to his needs.

24. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He had Paul summoned and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

24. Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and gave him a hearing on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.

25. But as he spoke about righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "You may go for now; when I find an opportunity I shall summon you again."

25. But when Paul began to treat of uprightness, self-control and the coming Judgement, Felix took fright and said, 'You may go for the present; I will send for you when I find it convenient.'

26. At the same time he hoped that a bribe would be offered him by Paul, and so he sent for him very often and conversed with him.

26. At the same time he had hopes of receiving money from Paul, and for this reason he sent for him frequently and had talks with him.

27. Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.

27. When two years came to an end, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus and, being anxious to gain favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in custody.