Acts 24
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Accusation against Paul
24 After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer[a] named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.(A) 2 When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent(B) Felix, with utmost gratitude. 4 However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague,(C) an agitator(D) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him [and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you.][b] By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so.
Paul’s Defense before Felix
10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.(E) 11 You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.(F) 12 They didn’t find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.(G) 13 Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. 14 But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers’ God according to the Way,(H) which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.(I) 15 And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection,[c](J) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.(K) 16 I always do my best to have a clear conscience(L) toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation,(M) 18 and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.(N) 19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, ‘Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”
The Verdict Postponed
22 Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way,(O) he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul[d] under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving[e] him.(P)
24 After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,(Q) Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul.[f] For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus,(R) and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews,(S) Felix left Paul in prison.(T)
Footnotes
- Acts 24:1 In Gk, the word rhetor is similar to the Eng “rhetoric.” In this situation, a rhetorician who was skilled in public speaking in the Gk language was needed.
- Acts 24:8 Other mss omit bracketed text
- Acts 24:15 Other mss add of the dead
- Acts 24:23 Lit him
- Acts 24:23 Other mss add or visiting
- Acts 24:26 Other mss add so that he might release him
Mga Gawa 24
Magandang Balita Biblia
Ang Paratang ng mga Judio Laban kay Pablo
24 Makalipas ang limang araw, dumating sa Cesarea ang pinakapunong pari na si Ananias, kasama ang ilang pinuno ng bayan at si Tertulo na isang abogado. Iniharap nila sa gobernador ang kanilang reklamo laban kay Pablo. 2 At nang maiharap si Pablo, sinimulan ni Tertulo ang pagsalaysay ng mga paratang kay Pablo. Sinabi niya,
“Kagalang-galang na Gobernador Felix, utang namin sa inyong mahusay na pamumuno ang kapayapaang matagal na naming tinatamasa, gayundin ang mga pagbabago para sa ikauunlad ng aming bansa. 3 Ito'y kinikilala naming utang na loob, at lubos namin kayong pinasasalamatan saanman at magpakailanman. 4 Ngunit upang kayo ay huwag nang labis na maabala, mangyari lamang na kami'y pakinggan ninyong sandali. 5 Natuklasan naming ang taong ito'y nanggugulo. Ginugulo niya ang mga Judio saan man siya magpunta, at siya'y isang pasimuno ng sekta ng mga Nazareno. 6 Pati ang Templo namin ay tinangka niyang lapastanganin, kaya hinuli namin siya. [Hahatulan sana namin siya ayon sa aming kautusan, 7 ngunit dumating si Lisias na pinuno ng mga sundalo, at marahas siyang inagaw sa amin. 8 Ang sabi niya'y sa inyo namin isakdal ang taong ito.][a] Sa pagsisiyasat ninyo sa kanya, malalaman ninyo ang lahat ng paratang namin laban sa kanya.”
9 Nakiisa ang mga Judio kay Tertulo, at pinatotohanan ang lahat ng sinabi niya.
Ang Pagtatanggol ni Pablo sa Harap ni Felix
10 Si Pablo ay sinenyasan ng gobernador upang magsalita, kaya't sinabi niya,
“Kagalang-galang na Gobernador, nalalaman kong kayo'y matagal nang hukom sa bansang ito, kaya't ikinagagalak kong ipagtanggol ang aking sarili sa harap ninyo. 11 Wala pang labindalawang araw mula nang ako'y dumating sa Jerusalem upang sumamba. Matitiyak ninyo iyan kung kayo'y magsisiyasat. 12 Minsan man ay hindi nila ako nakitang nakikipagtalo kaninuman sa loob ng Templo, o gumagawa ng gulo sa sinagoga, o sa alinmang lugar sa lungsod. 13 Wala silang maihaharap na katibayan sa kanilang mga paratang laban sa akin. 14 Inaamin kong ang pagsamba ko sa Diyos ng aming mga ninuno ay ayon sa Daan na sinasabi nilang maling pananampalataya. Subalit naniniwala rin ako sa lahat ng nasusulat sa Kautusan at sa mga aklat ng mga propeta. 15 Tulad nila, umaasa rin akong muling bubuhayin ng Diyos ang lahat ng tao, matuwid man o di-matuwid. 16 Kaya't pinagsisikapan kong laging maging malinis ang aking budhi sa harap ng Diyos at ng tao.
17 “Ilang(A) taon akong nawala sa Jerusalem at nagbalik ako upang maghatid ng tulong sa mga kababayan ko at maghandog sa Diyos. 18 Natapos ko nang tuparin ang paglilinis ayon sa Kautusan at nag-aalay ako ng aking handog nang datnan nila ako sa Templo. Walang maraming tao roon at wala namang gulo. 19 Ang naroon ay ilang Judiong galing sa Asia—sila sana ang naparito upang magharap ng sakdal kung sila'y may nakitang anumang dapat iparatang laban sa akin. 20 O kaya naman, magsabi ang mga taong naririto kung ano ang pagkakasalang nagawa ko nang ako'y iharap sa Kataas-taasang Kapulungan ng mga Judio. 21 Gayunpaman,(B) totoong isinigaw ko ito sa harap nila, ‘Dahil sa pag-asa kong muling mabubuhay ang mga patay, ako'y nililitis sa harapan ninyo ngayon.’”
22 Si Felix ay may sapat na kaalaman tungkol sa Daan, kaya't ipinagpaliban muna niya ang paglilitis. Sinabi niya, “Hahatulan ko ang iyong kaso pagdating ng pinunong si Lisias.” 23 Pagkatapos, iniutos niya sa kapitan na pabantayan si Pablo, subalit huwag hihigpitan kundi hayaang dalawin ng kanyang mga kaibigan upang mabigyan siya ng kanyang mga pangangailangan.
Si Pablo sa Harap nina Felix at Drusila
24 Makaraan ang ilang araw, dumating si Felix, kasama ang asawa niyang si Drusila na isang Judio. Ipinatawag niya si Pablo at pinakinggan ang sinasabi nito tungkol sa pananalig kay Cristo Jesus. 25 Ngunit nang magpatuloy si Pablo ng pagsasalita tungkol sa pagiging matuwid, pagpipigil sa sarili, at sa darating na paghuhukom, natakot si Felix. Kaya't sinabi niya, “Makakaalis ka na, ipapatawag kitang muli kapag may panahon na ako.” 26 Malimit niyang ipatawag at kausapin si Pablo sa pag-asang susuhulan siya nito.
27 Makaraan ang dalawang taon, si Felix ay napalitan ni Porcio Festo. Sa hangad ni Felix na bigyang-lugod ang mga Judio, hinayaan niyang manatili sa bilangguan si Pablo.
Footnotes
- Mga Gawa 24:8 Sa ibang manuskrito'y hindi nakasulat ang mga talatang ito.
Acts 24
New King James Version
Accused of Sedition
24 Now after (A)five days (B)Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and [a]prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your [b]courtesy, a few words from us. 5 (C)For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 (D)He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, [c]and wanted (E)to judge him according to our law. 7 (F)But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 (G)commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also [d]assented, maintaining that these things were so.
The Defense Before Felix
10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem (H)to worship. 12 (I)And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to (J)the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the (K)God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in (L)the Law and in the Prophets. 15 (M)I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, (N)that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 (O)This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years (P)I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 (Q)in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me (R)purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 (S)They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, (T)‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
Felix Procrastinates
22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the (U)Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When (V)Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and (W)told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the (X)faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that (Y)money would be given him by Paul, [g]that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, (Z)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
Footnotes
- Acts 24:2 Or reforms are
- Acts 24:4 graciousness
- Acts 24:6 NU ends the sentence here and omits the rest of v. 6, all of v. 7, and the first clause of v. 8.
- Acts 24:9 NU, M joined the attack
- Acts 24:15 NU omits of the dead
- Acts 24:20 NU, M what wrongdoing they found
- Acts 24:26 NU omits that he might release him
Acts 24
King James Version
24 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
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 by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
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Magandang Balita Biblia, Copyright © Philippine Bible Society 2012.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
