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Acts 24
King James Version (1769 Blayney revision, with Apocrypha) · Berean Standard Bible
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.
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer (note: Or an orator) named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
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,
When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
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:
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
—
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
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:
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
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:
Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
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:
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
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.
and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin (note: Or the Council),
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.
unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
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.
Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
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.
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
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.
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
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.
As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
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.
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.