Acts 24 (GNV) · Opened

1Now after fiue dayes, Ananias the hie Priest came downe with the Elders, and with Tertullus a certaine oratour, which appeared before the Gouernour against Paul.Five 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.

2And when he was called foorth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that we haue obtained great quietnesse through thee, and that many worthy things are done vnto this nation through thy prouidence,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.

3We acknowledge it wholy, and in all places most noble Felix, with all thankes,In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

4But that I be not tedious vnto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest heare vs of thy courtesie a fewe wordes.But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

5Certainely we haue found this man a pestilent fellowe, and a moouer of sedition among all the Iewes throughout the world, and a chiefe maintainer of the secte of the Nazarites: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,

6And hath gone about to pollute the Temple: therefore wee tooke him, and woulde haue iudged him according to our Lawe:and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

7But the chiefe captaine Lysias came vpon vs, and with great violence tooke him out of our handes,Not in the BSB

8Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt inquire) know 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.”

9And the Iewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was so.The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

10Then Paul, after that the gouernour had beckened vnto him that hee shoulde speake, answered, I do the more gladly answere for my selfe, for as much as I knowe that thou hast bene of many yeres a iudge vnto this nation,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.

11Seeing that thou mayest knowe, that there are but twelue dayes since I came vp to worship in Hierusalem.You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12And they neither found mee in the Temple disputing with any man, neither making vproare among the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the citie.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.

13Neither can they proue the things, whereof they now accuse me.Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

14But this I confesse vnto thee, that after the way (which they call heresie) so worship I the God of my fathers, beleeuing all things which are written in the Lawe and 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,

15And haue hope towardes God, that the resurrection of the dead, which they themselues looke for also, shalbe both of iust and vniust.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.

16And herein I endeuour my selfe to haue alway a cleare conscience towarde God, and toward men.In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

17Now after many yeres, I came and brought almes to my nation and offerings.After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

18At what time, certaine Iewes of Asia founde mee 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

19Who ought to haue bene present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me.who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

20Or let these themselues say, if they haue found any vniust thing in mee, while I stoode in the Council,Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21Except it be for this one voyce, that I cried standing among them, Of the resurrection of the dead am I accused of 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.’”

22Nowe when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said, When I shall more perfectly know the things which concerne this way, by the comming of Lysias the chiefe Captaine, I will decise 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.”

23Then hee commanded a Centurion to keepe Paul, and that he should haue ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister vnto him, or to come vnto 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.

24And after certaine dayes, came Felix with his wife Drusilla, which was a Iewesse, and he called foorth Paul, and heard him of 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.

25And as he disputed of righteousnes and temperance, and of the iudgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I haue conuenient time, 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.”

26Hee hoped also that money shoulde haue bene giuen him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, 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.

27When two yeeres were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix roume: and Felix willing to get fauour of the Iewes, 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.

Acts 24

Tertullus Prosecutes Paul

Paul’s Defense to Felix

The Verdict Postponed

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