Acts of the Apostles 24
24
Paul Appears before Felix
1Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer#24:1 Greek some elders and an orator. Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:
“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. 4But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. 5We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.#24:6 Some manuscripts add an expanded conclusion to verse 6, all of verse 7, and an additional phrase in verse 8: We would have judged him by our law, 7but Lysias, the commander of the garrison, came and violently took him away from us, 8commanding his accusers to come before you. 8You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” 9Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.
10The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
14“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
17“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council#24:20 Greek Sanhedrin. found me guilty of, 21except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”
22At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23He ordered an officer#24:23 Greek a centurion. to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
24A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
27After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
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Acts of the Apostles 24: NLT
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Gevurot Meyruach Hakodesh 24
24
1And after chamash yamim, the Kohen Gadol Chananyah came down with some Zekenim and an orator, a certain Tertullus, who explained to the Moshel the charges keneged (against) Rav Sha'ul.
2And when Rav Sha'ul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Your Excellency, much shalom has been attained through you, and reforms have come to this nation by your foresight.
3This in every way and everywhere, we acknowledge, most excellent Felix, with todah rabbah.
4But in order that I may not detain you any longer, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
5For having found this man a troublemaker and an inciter of riots among all the Yehudim throughout kol ha'aretz, a manhig of the kat,#24:5 of Judaism the Natzrati Kat.
6He even tried to desecrate the Beis Hamikdash! And so we apprehended him, [and would have tried him according to our own law;
7But the sar haelef Lysias came, and with great ko'ach took him away out of our hands, and ordered his adversaries to come unto you.]
8When you examine him, you will be able to find out yourself regarding all these things of which we accuse him.
9And the rest of the Judeans joined in the attack, saying that these things were so.
10And when the Moshel nodded to him to speak, Rav Sha'ul answered, Knowing that for many years you have been a shofet (judge) to this nation, I cheerfully make my hitstaddekut.
11You will be able to learn that not more than twelve days have elapsed since I made an aliyah to worship in Yerushalayim.
12And neither in the Beis Hamikdash did they find me conversing with anyone nor did they find me stirring up the multitude either in the shuls or anywhere in Yerushalayim.
13Nor are they able to prove to you concerning the things of which now they are accusing me.
14For Ani modeh (I confess) this to you, that according to the Derech Hashem, which they call a “kat”,#24:14 of Judaism I serve the Elohei Avoteinu, having emunah in everything written according to the Torah and the Nevi'im.
15I have a tikvah (hope) in Hashem, which also these ones themselves anticipate, the coming Techiyas HaMesim of both the Tzaddikim and the Resha'im.
16In view of this, I always do my best to keep a matzpun naki (clear conscience) before Hashem and before anashim.
17Now after many years, I came bringing nedavot (donations) to my people and also to make korbanot (sacrifices).
18And this is how they found me, having undergone purification in the Beis Hamikdash, not with rioters nor with any disturbance.
19But there were some Yehudim from the Province of Asia who ought to be present before you to make accusation, if they might have something against me.
20Or let these themselves say what crime they found in me when they stood me before the Sanhedrin,
21unless it is about this one statement, which I stood and cried out among them, and that statement was concerning the Techiyas HaMesim, and it is for this that I am being judged today by you.
22But Felix, who was already rather well informed about the Derech Hashem, adjourned the meeting, saying, When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.
23Then Felix gave orders to the centurion to guard Rav Sha'ul, but to grant him considerable liberty and not to prevent his chaverim from ministering to his needs.
24And after some yamim, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was Jewish. He summoned Rav Sha'ul and listened to him concerning his emunah (faith) in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.
25And as Rav Sha'ul was conversing about tzedek#24:25 Dan 9:24 and kibush hayetzer (self-control) and about the Yom HaDin coming, Felix suddenly became afraid, and said, That will do for the moment. Go now. When I find time, I'll send for you.
26At the same time Felix was also hoping that bribe money would be given to him by Rav Sha'ul. Therefore, Felix used to frequently send for Rav Sha'ul to converse with him.
27When two years passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and, wanting to grant a favor to the Judeans, Felix left Rav Sha'ul in custody.
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