The Acts of the Apostles

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 24 -

After five days, Ananias the chief priest, certain elders, and an orator named Tertullus, went there. These men brought charges against Paul to the governor.

When Paul stood before the governor, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor, “Because of you we have great peace; and your foresight brings good reform to our nation;

so with all thankfulness we welcome everything that you do, most excellent Felix.

So that I detain you no more, I ask you to briefly listen to me with kindness.

For we have found this man to be a pest and one who causes all the Jews throughout the world to rebel. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect.

He even tried to desecrate the temple; so we arrested him. And we wanted to judge him according to our law.

But Lysias, the officer, came and forcibly took him out of our hands,

sending us to you. When you question Paul about all these matters, you, too, will be able to learn what we accuse him of.”

The Jews together accused Paul, too, and said that these things were true.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

But when the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul answered, “I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, and so I gladly explain myself to you.

You are able to verify that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem;

and when they found me in the temple, I did not argue with anyone, and I did not stir up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city;

and they cannot prove to you the accusations that they make against me now.

But I admit this to you, that according to the way that they call a sect, in that same way I serve the God of our forefathers. I am faithful to all that is in the law and the writings of the prophets.

I have the same confidence in God, just as these men also wait for it, the coming resurrection of the dead, of both the righteous ones and the unrighteous ones;

and in this, I work to have a conscience without blame before God and men through all things.

Now after many years I came to bring help to my nation and gifts of money.

When I did this, certain Jews from Asia found me in a purification ceremony in the temple, not with a crowd or an uproar.

These men ought to be before you now and say what they have against me, if they have anything.

Or else, these same men should say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Jewish council;

unless it is about this one thing that I said out loud when I stood among them, ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged today by you.’”

The Verdict Postponed

Felix was well informed about the Way, and so he ajourned the hearing. He said, “Whenever Lysias the commander comes down from Jerusalem, I will decide your case.”

Then he commanded the centurion to guard Paul, but to have leniency, and that no one should stop his friends from helping him or from visiting him.

After some days, Felix returned with Druscilla his wife, a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and he heard from him about faith in Christ Jesus.

But when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now. But when I have the opportunity later on, I will send for you.”

At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would give money to him, so he often sent for him and spoke with him.

But when two years passed, Porcius Festus became the governor after Felix, but Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul to continue under guard.

After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.

When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,

we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.(a)

(b)

(c)

By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.

Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

The Verdict Postponed

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”

He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.

But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Footnotes

(a)24:6 TR adds “We wanted to judge him according to our law,”

(b)24:7 TR adds “but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,”