Acts, 24

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.

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.

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

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,

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

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

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.

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

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.

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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

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

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;

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:

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

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

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;

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:

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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." '

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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