Murdock - Acts - 24

24:1  And after five days, Ananias the high priest, with the Elders, and with Tertullus the orator, went down, and made a communication to the governor against Paul.

24:2  And when he had been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, and to say:

24:3  Through thee, we dwell in much tranquillity; and many reforms have come to this nation, under thy administration; and we all, in every place, receive thy grace, excellent Felix.

24:4  But, not to weary thee with numerous particulars, I pray thee to hear our humbleness, in brief.

24:5  For we have found this man to be an assassin, and a mover of sedition among all Jews in the whole land: for he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazareans.

24:6  And he was disposed to pollute our temple. And having seized him we wished to judge him according to our law.

24:7  But Lysias the Chiliarch came, and with great violence took him out of our hands, and sent him to thee.

24:8  And he commanded his accusers to come before thee. And if thou wilt interrogate him, thou canst learn from him respecting all these things of which we accuse him.

24:9  And the Jews also pleaded against him, saying that these things were so.

24:10  Then the governor made signs to Paul, that he should speak. And Paul answered and said: I know thee to have been a judge of this nation for many years, and I therefore cheerfully enter upon a defence of myself.

24:11  Because thou canst understand, that there have been but twelve days, since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

24:12  And they did not find me talking with any person in the temple, nor collecting any company, either in their synagogues, or in the city.

24:13  Nor have they the power to prove, before thee, the things of which they now accuse me.

24:14  But this indeed I acknowledge, that in that same doctrine of which they speak, I do serve the God of my fathers, believing all the things written in the law and in the prophets.

24:15  And I have a hope in God, which they also themselves expect, that there is to be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the wicked.

24:16  And for this reason, I also labor to have always a pure conscience before God, and before men.

24:17  And, after many years, I came to the people of my own nation, to impart alms, and to present an offering.

24:18  And when I had purified myself, these men found me in the temple; not with a throng, nor with a tumult. But certain Jews, who came from Asia, were tumultuous;

24:19  who ought, with me, to stand before thee, and make accusation of their own affair.

24:20  Or let these here present say, whether they found any offence in me, when I stood before their assembly;

24:21  except this one thing, that I cried, while standing in the midst of them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead, am I this day on trial before you.

24:22  And Felix, because he understood that way fully, deferred them, saying: When the Chiliarch shall come, I will give hearing between you.

24:23  And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, at rest; and that no one of his acquaintances should be forbidden to minister to him.

24:24  And after a few days, Felix, and Drusilla his wife who was a Jewess, sent and called for Paul; and they heard him concerning faith in the Messiah.

24:25  And while he was discoursing with them on righteousness, and on holiness, and on the future judgment, Felix was filled with fear; and he said: For the present time, go: and when I have opportunity, I will send for thee.

24:26  He hoped, moreover, that a present would be given him by Paul; and therefore, he often sent for him, and conversed with him.

24:27  And when two years were fulfilled to him, another governor, whose name was Porcius Festus, came into his place. And Felix, that he might do the Jews a favor, left Paul a prisoner.