[Acts 24]

 

             {May 30, 59 AD. Paul before Felix, a prisoner two years at Caesarea. In 59 AD Festus becomes governor of Judea.}

             ^24:1 Now after five days, the high-priest Ananias with the elders and an orator came-down, someone named Tertullus, who disclosed to the governor the charges against Paul. ^24:2 Now when Paul himself was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, We are obtaining much peace through you and public-reforms are happening to this nation through your forethought. ^24:3 We are accepting it both in all things and everywhere, with all thanksgiving, most-excellent Felix. ^24:4 But in-order-that I may not hinder you upon more-than this, I plead with you to hear us briefly in your gentleness. ^24:5 For^* we have found this man to be a plague, and he is moving this dissension to all the Jews throughout the inhabited-earth. And he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ^24:6 who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also took-hold of. ^{T} And wished to be judged according-to our law. ^24:7 Now Lysias the commander passed-beside, and with much violence, took Paul away out-of our hands, ^24:8 and commanded his accusers to come to you. From whom, you yourself will be able, after you examined him, to fully know concerning all these things of which we are accusing him. ^24:9 But the Jews themselves also banded together in the attack, thus claiming these things to hold truth.

 

             ^24:10 Now after the governor signaled to him to speak, Paul answered, I know you are a judge to this nation out-of many years experience. I am cheerfully making my defense with the things concerning myself. ^24:11 You surely are able to know that there are not more-than twelve days to me from which time I went-up in Jerusalem (I will worship there); ^24:12 and they did not find me reasoning angrily with anyone, or making^* a hostile gathering of the crowd in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city, ^24:13 nor are they able to present things concerning me, of which they are now accusing me. ^24:14 But I confess this thing to you, that thus I am giving-divine-service to the God of our forefathers according-to The Way, which they call^* a sect, believing all things which are according-to the law and which have been written in the prophets. ^24:15 I have hope toward God, which these themselves also have; they are waiting for that time there will be a future resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and unrighteous. ^24:16 But I apply myself in this, having a guilt-free conscience always toward God and men. ^24:17 Now I came^* through many years doing^* charities and offerings to my nation; ^24:18 in which they found me, after I have been purified in the temple, not with a crowd, nor with an uproar with some Jews from Asia, ^24:19 whom it is essential for them to be here and to accuse me in front of you, if they may have anything to accuse me. ^24:20 Or let^° these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood in front of the council, ^24:21 or concerning this one voice of which I cried out, standing among them. I am being judged by you^° today concerning the resurrection of the dead.

 

             ^24:22 But he heard these things and knowing more accurately concerning The Way, Felix himself postponed judging them, and said, Whenever Lysias the commander comes-down, I will be investigating the things against you^°. ^24:23 And he himself commanded the centurion to guard Paul and for him to have relief and to forbid no one of his own to attend or to come near to him.

 

             ^24:24 Now after some days, Felix came^* together-with Drusilla, his wife, being a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. ^24:25 But while he himself is reasoning concerning righteousness and self-control and the future judgment which is to be, Felix became fearful, and answered, Travel on, hereafter when I have taken the opportunity, I will call you myself. ^24:26 (And while hoping at the same-time that monies will be given to him by Paul, ^*that he might loose him.) Hence, he was conversing with him, and sending for him frequently. ^24:27 But after two years were fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and wishing to lay up favors for himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.