Acts of the Apostles 24

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul;	1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor.
2 and when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your provision, most excellent Felix, reforms are introduced on behalf of this nation,	2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Since we have attained much peace through you, and reforms have been accomplished in this nation through your provident care,
3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.	3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.
4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.	4 But in order not to detain you further, I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.	5 We found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.	6 He even tried to desecrate our temple, but we arrested him.
7 .	7
8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him about everything of which we accuse him."	8 If you examine him you will be able to learn from him for yourself about everything of which we are accusing him."
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all this was so.	9 The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these things were so.
10 And when the governor had motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "Realizing that for many years you have been judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.	10 Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul replied, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and so I am pleased to make my defense before you.
11 As you may ascertain, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem;	11 As you can verify, not more than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 and they did not find me disputing with any one or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues, or in the city.	12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people.
13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.	13 Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me.
14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets,	14 But this I do admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors and I believe everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.
15 having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.	15 I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous.
16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.	16 Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
17 Now after some years I came to bring to my nation alms and offerings.	17 After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings.
18 As I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia--	18 While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification, in the temple without a crowd or disturbance.
19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.	19 But some Jews from the province of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might have against me--
20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,	20 or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 except this one thing which I cried out while standing among them, 'With respect to the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you this day.'"	21 unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that 'I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.'"
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."	22 Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way, postponed the trial, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall decide your case."
23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but should have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.	23 He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak upon faith in Christ Jesus.	24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He had Paul summoned and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 And as he argued about justice and self-control and future judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity I will summon you."	25 But as he spoke about righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "You may go for now; when I find an opportunity I shall summon you again."
26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.	26 At the same time he hoped that a bribe would be offered him by Paul, and so he sent for him very often and conversed with him.
27 But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.	27 Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.