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Chapter 24 |
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1 | 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. |
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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 accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix,
with all thankfulness. |
| 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 pestilent fellow, and a mover of
sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect
of the Nazarenes: |
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6 | Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom
we took, and would have judged according to our law. |
| 7 | But the chief
captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our
hands, |
| 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 |
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were
so. |
| 10 |
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 |
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I
went up to Jerusalem for to worship. |
| 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 | Neither can they prove the
things whereof they now accuse me. |
| 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:
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| 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 |
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence
toward God, and toward men. |
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17 | Now after many years I came to bring
alms to my nation, and offerings. |
| 18 | Whereupon certain Jews from
Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with
tumult. |
| 19
| Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if
they had ought against me. |
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20 | Or else let these same here say, if
they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
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| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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. |
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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 | 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 Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to
shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. |
