24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and (with) an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.
24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with a certain attorney [named] Tertullus; and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.

24:2 And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,
24:2 And after [Paul] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying [to the governor], "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,

24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
24:3 we acknowledge [this] in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

24:4 But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
24:4 "But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
24:5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

24:6 who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: (and we would have judged him according to our law.
24:6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. {And we wanted to judge him according to our own Law.

24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
24:7 "But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,

24:8 commanding his accusers to come before thee.) from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
24:8 ordering his accusers to come before you.} And by examining him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him. "

24:9 And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
24:9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

24:10 And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:
24:10 And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,

24:11 Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
24:11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

24:12 and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
24:12 "And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city [itself] did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.

24:13 Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
24:13 "Nor can they prove to you [the charges] of which they now accuse me.

24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
24:14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets;

24:15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

24:16 Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience [both] before God and before men.

24:17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
24:17 "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;

24:18 amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but (there were) certain Jews from Asia--
24:18 in which they found me [occupied] in the temple, having been purified, without [any] crowd or uproar. But [there were] certain Jews from Asia--

24:19 who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
24:19 who ought to have been present before you, and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.

24:20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,
24:20 "Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,

24:21 except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.
24:21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.' "

24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
24:22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."

24:23 And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
24:23 And he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and [yet] have [some] freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

24:24 But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
24:24 But some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him [speak] about faith in Christ Jesus.

24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
24:25 And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you."

24:26 He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
24:26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.

24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
24:27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.