24:1 And after five days the high priest Anani'as came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertul'lus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul;
24:1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.

24:2 and when he was called, Tertul'lus 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,
24:2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Your Excellency, because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight.

24:3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
24:3 We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude.

24:4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
24:4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

24:5 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.
24:5 We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

24:6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.
24:6 He even tried to profane the temple, and so we seized him.

24:7 (and we would have judged him according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you.)
24:7

24:8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him about everything of which we accuse him."
24:8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him."

24:9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all this was so.
24:9 The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.

24:10 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.
24:10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.

24:11 As you may ascertain, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem;
24:11 As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

24:12 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.
24:12 They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.

24:13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
24:13 Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.

24:14 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,
24:14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.

24:15 having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
24:15 I have a hope in God--a hope that they themselves also accept--that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

24:16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.
24:16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.

24:17 Now after some years I came to bring to my nation alms and offerings.
24:17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices.

24:18 As I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia --
24:18 While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance.

24:19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.
24:19 But there were some Jews from Asia--they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.

24:20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
24:20 Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council,

24:21 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.'"
24:21 unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"

24:22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lys'ias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."
24:22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."

24:23 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.
24:23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

24:24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusil'la, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak upon faith in Christ Jesus.
24:24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus.

24:25 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."
24:25 And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you."

24:26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
24:26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

24:27 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.
24:27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.