Chapter 24

  And after five days came down the high priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator called Tertullus, and laid their informations against Paul before the governor.  

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  And he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, Seeing we enjoy great peace through thee, and that excellent measures are executed for this nation by thy forethought,  

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  we receive [it] always and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.  

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  But that I may not too much intrude on thy time, I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness.  

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  For finding this man a pest, and moving sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazaraeans;  

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  who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also had seized, [and would have judged according to our law;  

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  but Lysias, the chiliarch, coming up, took [him] away with great force out of our hands,  

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  having commanded his accusers to come to thee;] of whom thou canst thyself, in examining [him], know the certainty of all these things of which we accuse him.  

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  And the Jews also joined in pressing the matter against [Paul], saying that these things were so.  

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  But Paul, the governor having beckoned to him to speak, answered, Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge to this nation, I answer readily as to the things which concern myself.  

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  As thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem,  

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  and neither in the temple did they find me discoursing to any one, or making any tumultuous gathering together of the crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;  

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  neither can they make good the things of which they now accuse me.  

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  But this I avow to thee, that in the way which they call sect, so I serve my fathers' God, believing all things which are written throughout the law, and in the prophets;  

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  having hope towards God, which they themselves also receive, that there is to be a resurrection both of just and unjust.  

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  For this cause I also exercise [myself] to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men.  

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  And after a lapse of many years I arrived, bringing alms to my nation, and offerings.  

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  Whereupon they found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia,  

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  who ought to appear before thee and accuse, if they have anything against me;  

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  or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council,  

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  [other] than concerning this one voice which I cried standing amongst them: I am judged this day by you touching [the] resurrection of [the] dead.  

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  And Felix, knowing accurately the things concerning the way, adjourned them, saying, When Lysias the chiliarch is come down I will determine your affair;  

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  ordering the centurion to keep him, and that he should have freedom, and to hinder none of his friends to minister to him.  

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

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  And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix, being filled with fear, answered, Go for the present, and when I get an opportunity I will send for thee;  

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  hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him.  

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  But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their favour, left Paul bound.  

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