Acts, 24

1. And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

1. After five days Ananias the High Priest came down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. And they presented their case against Paul before the governor.

2. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

2. Paul was called in and Tertullus accused him in this way:

3. We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

3. "Most Excellent Felix, thanks to you - your labors and your wise reforms - our people now enjoy great peace. We accept all this in every way and in every place, and we are totally grateful to you.

4. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

4. So as not to take more of your time, I beg you to listen briefly to us with your usual kindness.

5. For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

5. We have found that this man is a pest, he creates division among the Jews throughout the world and is a leader of the Nazarene sect.

6. Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

6. He even tried to profane the Temple, so we seized him. We would have judged him according to our law,

7. But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our hands,

7. but Lysias the commandant intervened in a very violent way and took him from us.

8. Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

8. Then he declared that his accusers must present themselves before you. By examining him yourself, you will learn from him about all that we accuse him of."

9. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

9. The Jews confirmed this, firmly maintaining that all this was so.

10. Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

10. Then the governor motioned to Paul who said: "As I know that you have administered this nation for many years, I make my defense with much confidence.

11. Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

11. You yourself can ascertain that not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship,

12. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

12. and that they did not find me disputing with anyone or inciting the people, either in the Temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

13. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

13. So they cannot prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

14. But this I admit before you, that I serve the God of our ancestors according to the Way which they call a sect. I believe everything written in the Law and in the Prophets,

15. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

15. and I have the same hope in God that they have, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both the good and the sinners.

16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

16. So I strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before people.

17. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

17. After many years, I came to bring help to those of my nation and to offer sacrifices.

18. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

18. On that occasion, they found me in the Temple; I had been purified according to the Law and there was no crowd or commotion. Yet all began with some Jews from Asia

19. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

19. who ought to be here before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.

20. Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

20. Let these men say what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21. Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

21. unless it was for having declared in a loud voice when I was before them: 'Today I am being judged on account of the resurrection of the dead.'"

22. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

22. Felix who was well-informed about the Way, postponed the case and said to them, "When the commandant, Lysias, comes down, I will examine the case thoroughly."

23. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

23. So he ordered the captain to keep Paul under guard, giving him certain liberty and without preventing his friends from attending to him.

24. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

24. After some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew. He sent for Paul and let him speak about faith in Christ.

25. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

25. But when Paul spoke about justice, self-control and the future judgment, Felix was frightened and he said to him: "You may leave now; I shall send for you some other time."

26. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

26. Felix was hoping that Paul would give him money, so he sent for him often and conversed with him.

27. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

27. Two years passed, and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and as Felix wanted to remain on good terms with the Jews, he left Paul in prison.