Acts of the Apostles 24

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and an advocate namedTertul us, and they laid information against Paul before the governor.	1 Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul.
2 Paul was called, and Tertullus opened for the prosecution, 'Your Excel ency, Felix, the unbroken peacewe enjoy and the reforms this nation owes to your foresight	2 And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence,
3 are matters we accept, always and everywhere, with al gratitude.	3 we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything.
4 I do not want to take up too much of your time, but I urge you in your graciousness to give us a briefhearing.	4 But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.
5 We have found this man a perfect pest; he stirs up trouble among Jews the world over and is aringleader of the Nazarene sect.	5 We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He has even attempted to profane the Temple. We placed him under arrest.	6 And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law.
7 'I know that you have administered justice over this nation for many years, and I can therefore speakwith confidence in my defence.	7 But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands,
8 If you ask him you can find out for yourself the truth of al our accusations against this man.'	8 ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him.”
9 The Jews supported him, asserting that these were the facts.	9 And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so.
10 When the governor motioned him to speak, Paul answered:	10 Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul.
11 As you can verify for yourself, it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem onpilgrimage,	11 For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12 and it is not true that they ever found me arguing with anyone or stirring up the mob, either in theTemple, in the synagogues, or about the town;	12 And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.
13 neither can they give you any proof of the accusations they are making against me now.	13 And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me.
14 'What I do admit to you is this: it is according to the Way, which they describe as a sect, that I worshipthe God of my ancestors, retaining my belief in al points of the Law and in what is written in the prophets;	14 But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets,
15 and I hold the same hope in God as they do that there will be a resurrection of the upright and thewicked alike.	15 having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust.
16 In these things, I, as much as they, do my best to keep a clear conscience at al times before God andeveryone.	16 And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offence toward God and toward men.
17 'After several years I came to bring relief-money to my nation and to make offerings;	17 Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows,
18 it was in connection with these that they found me in the Temple; I had been purified, and there wasno crowd involved, and no disturbance.	18 through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion.
19 But some Jews from Asia -- these are the ones who should have appeared before you and accusedme of whatever they had against me.	19 But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.
20 At least let those who are present say what crime they held against me when I stood before theSanhedrin,	20 Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council.
21 unless it were to do with this single claim, when I stood up among them and cal ed out, "It is about theresurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today." '	21 For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you.”
22 At this, Felix, who was fairly well informed about the Way, adjourned the case, saying, 'When Lysiasthe tribune comes down I will give judgement about your case.'	22 Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, “When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing.”
23 He then gave orders to the centurion that Paul should be kept under arrest but free from restriction,and that none of his own people should be prevented from seeing to his needs.	23 And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him.
24 Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and gave him ahearing on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.	24 Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
25 But when Paul began to treat of uprightness, self-control and the coming Judgement, Felix took frightand said, 'You may go for the present; I wil send for you when I find it convenient.'	25 And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: “For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you.”
26 At the same time he had hopes of receiving money from Paul, and for this reason he sent for himfrequently and had talks with him.	26 He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him.
27 When two years came to an end, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus and, being anxious to gainfavour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in custody.	27 Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.