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Acts 24

Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and an orator named Tertullus, who brought their case against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called, Tertullus began his accusation: "Most noble Felix, through you we enjoy great quietness, and worthy reforms are being made for this nation through your care. We ack

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The charge

Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and an orator named Tertullus, who brought their case against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called, Tertullus began his accusation: "Most noble Felix, through you we enjoy great quietness, and worthy reforms are being made for this nation through your care. We acknowledge this always and everywhere with great thankfulness. But so I don't take up too much of your time, I ask you to hear a few words from us in your clemency. "We have found this man to be a pest, a stirrer of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple. We took him and would have judged him according to our law, But the chief captain Lysias came on us and with great violence took him away out of our hands. And ordered his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you can know all these things we accuse him with. The Jews agreed too, saying these things were so.

And after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and with a certain speaker named Tertullus, who told the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus started to charge him: Seeing that by you we enjoy great quiet, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your care, we take it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. But so I don't hold you up too long, I beg you to hear us a few words of your kindness. Because we've found this man a pest and a stirrer of trouble among all the Jews through the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Who tried to make the temple common too. And we took him and would have judged him according to our teaching. But the chief captain Lysias came on us and with great violence took him away out of our hands. And ordered the ones charging him to come to you. By examining him yourself you can know all these things we charge him with. And the Jews agreed too, saying these things were so.

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. 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, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 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: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

1

Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and an orator named Tertullus, who brought their case against Paul before the governor.

Plain English

And after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and with a certain speaker named Tertullus, who told the governor against Paul.

King James Version, 1611

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

When Paul was called, Tertullus began his accusation: "Most noble Felix, through you we enjoy great quietness, and worthy reforms are being made for this nation through your care.

Plain English

And when he was called, Tertullus started to charge him: Seeing that by you we enjoy great quiet, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your care,

King James Version, 1611

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 always and everywhere with great thankfulness.

Plain English

we take it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

King James Version, 1611

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

4

But so I don't take up too much of your time, I ask you to hear a few words from us in your clemency.

Plain English

But so I don't hold you up too long, I beg you to hear us a few words of your kindness.

King James Version, 1611

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

5

"We have found this man to be a pest, a stirrer of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

Plain English

Because we've found this man a pest and a stirrer of trouble among all the Jews through the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

King James Version, 1611

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

He even tried to profane the temple. We took him and would have judged him according to our law,

Plain English

Who tried to make the temple common too. And we took him and would have judged him according to our teaching.

King James Version, 1611

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 on us and with great violence took him away out of our hands.

King James Version, 1611

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

8

And ordered his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you can know all these things we accuse him with.

Plain English

And ordered the ones charging him to come to you. By examining him yourself you can know all these things we charge him with.

King James Version, 1611

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 agreed too, saying these things were so.

Plain English

And the Jews agreed too, saying these things were so.

King James Version, 1611

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

Paul's defence

After the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul answered, "I know you've been a judge over this nation for many years, so I gladly make my defence. For you can understand there are only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. They didn't find me in the temple arguing with any man or stirring up the people, either in the synagogues or in the city. They can't prove the things they now charge me with. But this I confess to you: according to the Way which they call heresy, I worship the God of my fathers, believing everything written in the law and the prophets. I have hope towards God — a hope they themselves also accept — that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And because of this I exercise myself to always keep a conscience void of offence towards God and men. Now after many years I came to bring aid to my people, along with offerings. So certain Jews from Asia found me cleaned in the temple, not with a crowd or with tumult. Those Jews from Asia ought to be here before you and object, if they have anything against me. Or else let these same ones say here whether they've found any evil doing in me while I stood before the council. except for this one statement I cried out while standing among them: 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged by you today.'"

Then Paul, after the governor had waved to him to speak, answered: Because I know you've been for plenty of years a judge to this nation, I do the more gladly answer for myself. Because you can understand there are only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they didn't find me in the temple arguing with any man or stirring up the people, either in the meeting houses or in the town. And they can't prove the things they now charge me with. But this I own up to you — that after the way they call heresy, that's how I worship the God of my fathers, believing everything written in the teaching and in the prophets. And I have hope towards God, that they let themselves too, that there'll be a rising again of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust. And in this I work myself to have always a conscience without offence towards God and towards men. Now after plenty of years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. So certain Jews from Asia found me cleaned in the temple, not with a crowd or with tumult. Who ought to have been here in front of you and object, if they had anything against me. Or else let these same ones say here whether they've found any evil doing in me while I stood in front of the council. Except for this one voice, that I cried out standing among them: About the rising again of the dead I'm called in question by you today.

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: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 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: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 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: 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. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 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.

10

After the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul answered, "I know you've been a judge over this nation for many years, so I gladly make my defence.

Plain English

Then Paul, after the governor had waved to him to speak, answered: Because I know you've been for plenty of years a judge to this nation, I do the more gladly answer for myself.

King James Version, 1611

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

For you can understand there are only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Plain English

Because you can understand there are only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

King James Version, 1611

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

12

They didn't find me in the temple arguing with any man or stirring up the people, either in the synagogues or in the city.

Plain English

And they didn't find me in the temple arguing with any man or stirring up the people, either in the meeting houses or in the town.

King James Version, 1611

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

They can't prove the things they now charge me with.

Plain English

And they can't prove the things they now charge me with.

King James Version, 1611

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

14

But this I confess to you: according to the Way which they call heresy, I worship the God of my fathers, believing everything written in the law and the prophets.

Plain English

But this I own up to you — that after the way they call heresy, that's how I worship the God of my fathers, believing everything written in the teaching and in the prophets.

King James Version, 1611

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

I have hope towards God — a hope they themselves also accept — that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Plain English

And I have hope towards God, that they let themselves too, that there'll be a rising again of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust.

King James Version, 1611

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 because of this I exercise myself to always keep a conscience void of offence towards God and men.

Plain English

And in this I work myself to have always a conscience without offence towards God and towards men.

King James Version, 1611

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

17

Now after many years I came to bring aid to my people, along with offerings.

Plain English

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

King James Version, 1611

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

18

So certain Jews from Asia found me cleaned in the temple, not with a crowd or with tumult.

King James Version, 1611

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

19

Those Jews from Asia ought to be here before you and object, if they have anything against me.

Plain English

Who ought to have been here in front of you and object, if they had anything against me.

King James Version, 1611

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

20

Or else let these same ones say here whether they've found any evil doing in me while I stood before the council.

Plain English

Or else let these same ones say here whether they've found any evil doing in me while I stood in front of the council.

King James Version, 1611

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

21

except for this one statement I cried out while standing among them: 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged by you today.'"

Plain English

Except for this one voice, that I cried out standing among them: About the rising again of the dead I'm called in question by you today.

King James Version, 1611

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.

Felix keeps him

When Felix heard these things, having more exact knowledge of that way, he put them off: When Lysias the chief captain comes down, I'll know the very bottom of your matter. He ordered a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have freedom, and that he shouldn't stop any of his own from coming to him or looking after him. Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and heard him about faith in Christ. As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix trembled and said, ‘Go away for now. When I get the chance, I'll call for you.’ He hoped too that money would have been given him by Paul, so he could let him go. So he sent for him the more often and conferred with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's place. And Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favour, left Paul tied up.

And when Felix heard these things, having more exact knowledge of that way, he put them off: When Lysias the chief captain comes down, I'll know the very bottom of your matter. And he ordered a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have freedom, and that he shouldn't stop any of his own from coming to him or looking after him. And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew, he sent for Paul and heard him about the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and judgment to come, Felix shook: Go your way for this time. When I've got a good chance, I'll call for you. He hoped too that money would have been given him by Paul, so he could let him go. So he sent for him the more often and talked with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's place. And Felix, wanting to show the Jews a favour, left Paul tied up.

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

22

When Felix heard these things, having more exact knowledge of that way, he put them off: When Lysias the chief captain comes down, I'll know the very bottom of your matter.

Plain English

And when Felix heard these things, having more exact knowledge of that way, he put them off: When Lysias the chief captain comes down, I'll know the very bottom of your matter.

King James Version, 1611

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

He ordered a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have freedom, and that he shouldn't stop any of his own from coming to him or looking after him.

Plain English

And he ordered a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have freedom, and that he shouldn't stop any of his own from coming to him or looking after him.

King James Version, 1611

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

Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and heard him about faith in Christ.

Plain English

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew, he sent for Paul and heard him about the faith in Christ.

King James Version, 1611

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

As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix trembled and said, ‘Go away for now. When I get the chance, I'll call for you.’

Plain English

And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and judgment to come, Felix shook: Go your way for this time. When I've got a good chance, I'll call for you.

King James Version, 1611

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 too that money would have been given him by Paul, so he could let him go. So he sent for him the more often and conferred with him.

Plain English

He hoped too that money would have been given him by Paul, so he could let him go. So he sent for him the more often and talked with him.

King James Version, 1611

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's place. And Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favour, left Paul tied up.

Plain English

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's place. And Felix, wanting to show the Jews a favour, left Paul tied up.

King James Version, 1611

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