Acts 24
24
1 Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul.
2 And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence,
3 we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything.
4 But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.
5 We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law.
7 But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands,
8 ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him."
9 And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so.
10 Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul.
11 For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12 And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.
13 And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me.
14 But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets,
15 having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust.
16 And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offence toward God and toward men.
17 Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows,
18 through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion.
19 But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.
20 Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council.
21 For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you."
22 Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, "When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing."
23 And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him.
24 Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
25 And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: "For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you."
26 He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him.
27 Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.
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Acts 24: CPDV
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The Acts 24
24
1And after five days came down the high priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator called Tertullus, and laid their informations against Paul before the governor. 2And he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, Seeing we enjoy great peace through thee, and that excellent measures are executed for this nation by thy forethought, 3we receive it always and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4But that I may not too much intrude on thy time, I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness. 5For finding this man a pest, and moving sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazaraeans; 6who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also had seized, and would have judged according to our law; 7but Lysias, the chiliarch, coming up, took him away with great force out of our hands, 8having commanded his accusers to come to thee; of whom thou canst thyself, in examining him, know the certainty of all these things of which we accuse him. 9And the Jews also joined in pressing the matter against Paul, saying that these things were so.
10But Paul, the governor having beckoned to him to speak, answered, Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge to this nation, I answer readily as to the things which concern myself. 11As thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem, 12and neither in the temple did they find me discoursing to any one, or making any tumultuous gathering together of the crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13neither can they make good the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I avow to thee, that in the way which they call sect, so I serve my fathers' God, believing all things which are written throughout the law, and in the prophets; 15having hope towards God, which they themselves also receive, that there is to be a resurrection both of just and unjust. 16For this cause I also exercise myself to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men. 17And after a lapse of many years I arrived, bringing alms to my nation, and offerings. 18Whereupon they found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia, 19who ought to appear before thee and accuse, if they have anything against me; 20or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council, 21other than concerning this one voice which I cried standing amongst them: I am judged this day by you touching the resurrection of the dead.
22And Felix, knowing accurately the things concerning the way, adjourned them, saying, When Lysias the chiliarch is come down I will determine your affair; 23ordering the centurion to keep him, and that he should have freedom, and to hinder none of his friends to minister to him. 24And after certain days, Felix having arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix, being filled with fear, answered, Go for the present, and when I get an opportunity I will send for thee; 26hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him. 27But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their favour, left Paul bound.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.