10 [a]Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him that he should speak, answered, I do the more gladly answer for myself, forasmuch as I know that [b]thou hast been oft many years a judge unto this nation,

11 Seeing that thou mayest know, that there are but twelve days since I came up to worship in Jerusalem.

12 And they neither found me in the Temple, disputing with any man, neither making uproar among the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the city.

13 Neither can they [c]prove the things, whereof they now accuse me.

14 [d]But this I confess unto thee, that after the way (which they call [e]heresy) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets,

15 And have hope towards God, that the resurrection of the dead, which they themselves look for also, shall be both of just and unjust.

16 And herein I endeavor myself to have always a clear conscience toward God and toward men.

17 [f]Now after many years, I came and brought alms to my nation and offerings,

18 At [g]what time, certain Jews of [h]Asia found me purified in the Temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

19 Who ought to have been present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me.

20 Or let these themselves say, if they have found any unjust thing in me, while I stood in the [i]Council,

21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Of the resurrection of the dead am I accused of you this day.

22 [j]Now when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said, When I shall more [k]perfectly know the things which concern this way, by the coming of Lysias the chief Captain, I will decide your matter.

23 [l]Then he commanded a Centurion to keep Paul, and that he should have ease, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:10 Tertullus by the devil’s rhetoric beginneth with flattery, maketh an end with lies: but Paul using heavenly eloquence, and but a simple beginning casteth off from himself the crime of sedition, wherewith he was burdened, with a simple denial.
  2. Acts 24:10 Paul pleaded his cause two years before Felix departed out of the province, Acts 27, but he had governed Trachonite, and Batanea, and Galavnite, before that Claudius made him governor of Judea: Josephus in the History of the Jewish War, lib. 2, chap. 11.
  3. Acts 24:13 They cannot lay forth before thee and prove by good reasons.
  4. Acts 24:14 Paul goeth in the cause of Religion from a state conjectural to a state of quality not only not denying that objected against him, but also proving it to be true, to be heavenly and from God, and to be the oldest of all religions.
  5. Acts 24:14 Here this word, Heresy, or sect, is taken in good part.
  6. Acts 24:17 Paul in conclusion telleth the thing which was done, truly, which Tertullus had before divers ways corrupted.
  7. Acts 24:18 And while I was busy about those things.
  8. Acts 24:18 Hereby it appeareth that these of Asia were Saul’s enemies, and those that stirred up the people against him.
  9. Acts 24:20 Whither the Tribune brought me.
  10. Acts 24:22 The Judge suspendeth his sentence, because the matter is doubtful.
  11. Acts 24:22 Felix could not judge whether he had done wickedly in the matters of his religion or no, until he had better understanding of that way which Paul professed: and as for other matters touching the sedition, he thinketh good to defer it till he hears Lysias, and therefore he gave Paul somewhat more liberty.
  12. Acts 24:23 God is a most faithful keeper of his servants, and the force of the truth is wonderful, even amongst men which are otherwise profane.

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 of 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.

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