New American Standard Bible

King James Bible

Paul before Felix

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.

1

Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Felix

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

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,

2

And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3

we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

3

We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4

“But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

4

Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

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.

5

For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6

“And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.

6

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7

“But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,

7

But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

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.”

8

Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9

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

9

And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

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,

10

Paul Defends His Testimony

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11

since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

11

Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

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.

12

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13

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

13

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

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;

14

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

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.

15

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16

“In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

17

“Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;

17

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

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 —

18

Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

19

who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.

19

Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

20

“Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,

20

Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

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.’”

21

Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

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.”

22

Felix Holds Paul in Custody

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

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.

23

And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

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

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

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.”

25

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

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.

26

He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

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.

27

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Parallel

New American Standard Bible

King James Bible

Acts 24

Acts 24