24:1 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney {named} Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. |
24:2 After {Paul} had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying {to the governor,} "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, |
24:3 we acknowledge {this} in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. |
24:4 "But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. |
24:5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. |
24:6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. |
24:7 "But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, |
24:8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him." |
24:9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. |
24:10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, |
24:11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
24:12 "Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city {itself} did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. |
24:13 "Nor can they prove to you {the charges} of which they now accuse me. |
24:14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; |
24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience {both} before God and before men. |
24:17 "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; |
24:18 in which they found me {occupied} in the temple, having been purified, without {any} crowd or uproar. But {there were} some Jews from Asia-- |
24:19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. |
24:20 "Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, |
24:21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, `For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'" |
24:22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." |
24:23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and {yet} have {some} freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. |
24:24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him {speak} about faith in Christ Jesus. |
24:25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you." |
24:26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. |
24:27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. |