Keraia
History

Acts 24

Tertullus Prosecutes Paul

1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.

1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain orator, Tertullus, who made a presentation against Paul to the governor.

2When 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.

2And he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Attaining great peace through you, and excellent measures being done to this nation through your foresight,

3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

3in every way and also everywhere, we gladly accept it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

4But so that I should not be a hindrance to you any longer, I implore you to hear us briefly in your kindness.

5We 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,

5For having found this man a pestilence and stirring dissension among all the Jews in the world—also a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes—

6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

6who even attempted to profane the temple, whom we also seized.

7—

7—

8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”

8Having examined him yourself, you will be able to know from him concerning all these things of which we accuse him.”

9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

9And the Jews also agreed, declaring these things to be so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

10When 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.

10And the governor having motioned to him to speak, Paul answered: “Knowing you as being a judge to this nation for many years, I make a defense cheerfully to the things concerning myself,

11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

11you being able to know that there are to me no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

12And neither did they find me reasoning with anyone or making a tumultuous gathering of a crowd in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

13Nor are they able to prove to you the things concerning which now they accuse me.

14I 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,

14But I confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things throughout the Law and that have been written in the Prophets,

15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

15having a hope in God, which they themselves also await, that there is about to be a resurrection both of righteous and of unrighteous.

16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

16In this I myself also strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men through everything.

17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

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

18At 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

18during which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor with an uproar. But there are some Jews from Asia

19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

19who ought to appear before you and to make accusation if they may have anything against me.

20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

20Or let these say themselves any unrighteousness they found in my having stood before the Council,

21unless 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.’”

21other than concerning this one voice in which I cried out standing among them: ‘I am judged by you this day concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

The Verdict Postponed

22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

22But Felix, having known more precisely the things concerning the Way, put them off, having said, “When Lysias the commander shall have come down, I will examine the things as to you,”

23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

23having commanded the centurion to keep him and to let him have ease and not to forbid his own to minister to him.

24After 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.

24Then after some days Felix, having arrived with his own wife Drusilla, being a Jewess, sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

25As 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.”

25And in his reasoning concerning righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix, having become frightened, answered, “Be going for the present, and having found opportunity, I will call for you,”

26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.

26at the same time also hoping that riches will be given to him by Paul. Therefore also, sending for him often, he was talking with him.

27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

27But two years having been completed, Felix received Porcius Festus as successor, and wishing to acquire for himself favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.