Act 24 | ABEn | STEP | And after five days there came down the chief priest Ananias with the elders, and a rhetorician, a certain Tertullus, who revealed themselves to the governor against Paul.

Acts 24

CHAPTER 24 Paul Appears before Felix

1 And after five days there came down the chief priest Ananias with the elders, and a rhetorician, a certain Tertullus, who revealed themselves to the governor against Paul. 2 And having been called, [²himself ³began ⁴to charge ¹Tertullus], saying, Great peace is happening through you, and great feats are happening to this nation because of your forethought, 3 both totally and everywhere we receive it gladly, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But so that [²should not ⁴upon ⁶much more ⁵you ¹I ³hinder], I appeal for you to hear us so suddenly in your clemency. 5 For having found this man mischievous, and moving insurrection among all the Jews in the habitable world, and front rank of the [²of the ³Nazarenes ¹sect]; 6 who also [³the ⁴temple ¹attempted ²to profane], whom also we seized, and according to our law we wanted to judge. 7 [⁵having come by ¹But ²Lysias ³the ⁴commander] with a great force [²from out of ³our hands ¹took him], 8 bidding his accusers to come; from whom you will be able, he having questioned, concerning all these things, to realize what we accuse him. 9 [⁵joined in making an attack ¹And ²also ³the ⁴Jews], maintaining these things thus to suffice. 10 [³responded ¹And ²Paul], [³nodding ⁴to him ¹of the ²governor] to speak, saying, For many years you being judge to this nation; knowing this, more cheerfully the things concerning myself I make a defense. 11 You being able to know that [²not ³more than ¹there were ⁶to me ⁵days ⁴twelve] from which I ascended to do obeisance into Jerusalem, 12 and neither in the temple did they find me with anyone reasoning, or [²a conspiracy ¹causing] of a multitude, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13 nor [²to render proof ¹are they able] concerning which now they charge me. 14 But I acknowledge this to you, that according to the way, which they call a sect, so I serve to the paternal God, believing in all things according to the law and to the things [²in the prophets ¹having been written], 15 [²a hope ¹having] in God; which also they themselves wait for -- a resurrection about to be of the dead, both of just and unjust. 16 And in this I discipline myself, not causing anyone to stumble, [²a conscience ¹having] towards God and men continually. 17 [²after ⁴years ¹And ³more] I came [²charity ¹offering] to my nation, and offerings; 18 in which they found me purified in the temple, not with a multitude, nor with a tumult. But certain [²from ³Asia ¹Jews], 19 whom must [²before ³you ¹be at hand], and to charge, if anything they may have against me; 20 and [²these ³themselves ¹let] speak! if they found anything in me for an offence, with my standing before the sanhedrin; 21 other than concerning this one voice which I cried out standing among them, that, Concerning a resurrection of the dead I am judged today by you. 22 And hearing these things, Felix postponed them, more exactly knowing the things concerning the way, having said, Whenever Lysias the commander should come down, I will determine the things as to you. 23 And having given orders to the centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have relaxation, and for no one to restrain his own people to assist or to come forward to him. 24 And after some days, Felix having come with Drusilla his wife, being Jewish, he fetched Paul, and he heard him concerning the [²in ³Christ ¹belief]. 25 [³reasoning ¹And ²of his] concerning righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment about to be, [³thrown into fear ²becoming ¹Felix] responded, For now it suffices, go! but a time for sharing I will call you back. 26 But at the same time also hoping that things shall be given to him by Paul, so that he should loose him; therefore also more frequently fetching him, he consorted with him. 27 And a space of two years having been fulfilled, [²received ³as a successor ¹Felix], Porcius Festus. And wanting favors to be laid away with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.