Acts 24
Wycliffe Bible
24 And after five days, Ananias, prince of priests, came down with some elder men, and Tertullus, a fair speaker [and Tertullus, some orator, or advocate], which went to the president against Paul.
2 And when Paul was summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, and said, When in much peace we do by thee, and many things be amended by thy wisdom, [And Paul summoned, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, When in much peace we do by thee, and many things be amended by thy providence, or wisdom,]
3 evermore and every where, thou best Felix, we have received with all doing of thankings.
4 But lest I tarry thee longer, I pray thee, shortly hear us for thy meekness.
5 We have found this wicked man stirring dissension to all [the] Jews in all the world, and author of dissension of the sect of Nazarenes;[a]
6 and he also endeavored to defoul the temple; whom also we took, and would deem, after our law.
7 But Lysias, the tribune, came above with great strength, and delivered him from our hands;[b]
8 and commanded his accusers to come to thee [commanding his accusers to come to thee], of whom thou deeming, mayest know of all these things, of which we accuse him.
9 And Jews put to, and said, that these things had them so. [Forsooth and Jews casted to, saying that these things had them so.]
10 And Paul answered, when the president granted [to] him to say, Of many years I know thee, that thou art doomsman to this folk, and I shall do enough for me with good reason.
11 For thou mayest know, for to me be not more than twelve days [for to me be no more than twelve days], since I came up [for] to worship in Jerusalem;
12 and neither in the temple they found me disputing with any man, neither making concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, neither in city;
13 neither they be able to prove to thee, of the which things they now accuse me. [neither they may prove to thee, of which things they now accuse me.]
14 But I acknowledge to thee this thing, that after the sect which they say heresy, so I serve to God the Father, believing to all things that be written in the law and prophets;
15 and I have hope in God, which also they themselves abide, the again-rising to coming of just men and wicked.[c]
16 In this thing [and] I study without hurting, to have conscience to God, and to men evermore.
17 But after many years, I came to do almsdeeds to my folk, and offerings, and avows [and offerings, and vows];
18 in which they found me purified in the temple, not with company, neither with noise. And they caught me, and they cried, and said [And they caught me, crying, and saying], Take away our enemy. And some Jews of Asia,
19 which it behooved to be now present at thee [whom it behooved to be now present at thee], and accuse, if they had any thing against me,
20 either these themselves say [or these themselves say], if they found in me any thing of wickedness, since I stand in the council,
21 but only of this [one] voice, by which I cried standing among them, For of the again-rising of dead men I am deemed this day of you [For of the again-rising of dead I am deemed this day of you].
22 Soothly Felix delayed them, and knew most certainly of the way [Soothly Felix deferred them, most certainly he knowing of the way], and said, When Lysias, the tribune, shall come down, I shall hear you.
23 And he commanded to a centurion to keep him, and that he had rest[d], neither to forbid any man to minister of his own things to him.
24 And after some days Felix came, with Drusilla his wife, that was a Jewess, and called Paul, and heard of him the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
25 And while he disputed of rightwiseness, and chastity, and of doom to coming [and of doom to come], Felix was made trembling, and answered, That pertaineth now, go; but in time opportune I shall call thee [soothly in time covenable I shall call thee].
26 Also he hoped, that money should be given to him of Paul; for which thing again he called him [for which thing and oft he called him], and spake with him.
27 And when two years were filled, Felix took a successor, Porcius Festus; and Felix would give grace to the Jews, and left Paul bound.[e]
Footnotes
- Acts 24:5 We have found this man bearing pestilence and stirring sedition, or dissension, to all the Jews in all the world, and author of sedition of the sect of Nazarenes;
- Acts 24:7 Soothly Lysias, the tribune, came with great strength above, and delivered him out of our hands;
- Acts 24:15 having hope into God, which and they themselves abide, the again-rising to come of just men and wicked.
- Acts 24:23 And he commanded to a centurion to keep him, and to have rest
- Acts 24:27 Soothly two years fulfilled, Felix took a successor, Porcius Festus; forsooth Felix willing to give grace to Jews, left Paul bound.
Acts 24
New Matthew Bible
Paul is accused before Felix. He answers for himself.
24 After five days, Ananias, the high priest, descended with elders and with a certain orator named Tertullus, and made representations to the governor concerning Paul. 2 When Paul was called forth, Tertullus began the case against him, saying,
Seeing that we live in great quietness owing to you, and that many good things are done for this nation through your prudent government, 3 we receive and acknowledge it ever and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thanks. 4 But in order that I not be tedious to you, I pray that you would kindly hear a few words from us.
5 We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of conflict among all the Jews throughout the world, and a maintainer of the sect of the Nazarites, 6 who has also taken in hand to profane the temple. We took him, and would have judged him according to our law, 7 but the high captain Lysias came upon us, and with great force took him away out of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you. You may, if you wish to enquire, ascertain from him the facts concerning all these things of which we accuse him.
9 The Jews maintained likewise, saying that it was even so.
10 Then Paul (after the governor himself had indicated to him that he should speak) answered, I shall with a more quiet mind answer for myself, 11 since I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this people, in order that you may know that it is yet only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to pray, 12 and they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone, nor inciting the people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things they accuse me of.
14 But this I confess to you: that in accordance with the Way, which they call heresy, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the law and the prophets. 15 And I have hope in God that the same resurrection of the dead that they themselves look for also will come, both of the just and the unjust. 16 And therefore I strive to have a clear conscience toward God, and toward man also.
17 But after many years I came, bringing alms and offerings to my people, 18 in the course of which they found me purified in the temple, neither with a lot of people, nor making a disturbance. However, there were certain Jews out of Asia, 19 who ought to be here present before you and accuse me if they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men here say if they have found any wrongdoing in me, while I stand here in the council – 21 unless it be for this one statement that I made standing among them: It is concerning the resurrection from death that I am on trial before you this day.
22 When Felix heard these things, he adjourned the hearing – for he knew very well of that Way – and said, When Lysias the captain arrives, I will hear the last of your matters. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and that he should have rest, and not to forbid any of his friends to minister to him or come to him.
24 And after some time, Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, came and called for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith that is toward Christ. 25 And as he preached of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, That is enough at this time; depart. When I have a convenient time, I will send for you. 26 He hoped also that Paul would give him money to set him free, so he called for him often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years, Festus Porcius succeeded Felix. And Felix, wanting to please the Jews, left Paul bound in prison.
Acts 24
1599 Geneva Bible
24 2 Tertullus accuseth Paul: 10 He answereth for himself: 21 He preacheth Christ to the governor and his wife. 26 Felix hopeth, but in vain, to receive a bribe, 27 who going from his office, leaveth Paul in prison.
1 Now [a]after five days, Ananias the high Priest came down with the Elders, and with Tertullus a certain orator, which appeared before the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that we have obtained great quietness [b]through thee, and that many [c]worthy things are done unto this nation through thy providence,
3 We acknowledge it wholly, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thanks.
4 But that I be not tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest hear us of thy courtesy a few words.
5 Certainly we have found this man a [d]pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a [e]chief maintainer of the sect of the [f]Nazarenes:
6 And hath gone about to pollute the Temple: therefore we took him, and would have judged him according to our Law:
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt inquire) know all these things whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews likewise [g]affirmed, saying that it was so.
10 [h]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 [i]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 [j]prove the things, whereof they now accuse me.
14 [k]But this I confess unto thee, that after the way (which they call [l]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 [m]Now after many years, I came and brought alms to my nation and offerings,
18 At [n]what time, certain Jews of [o]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 [p]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 [q]Now when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, and said, When I shall more [r]perfectly know the things which concern this way, by the coming of Lysias the chief Captain, I will decide your matter.
23 [s]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.
24 ¶ And after certain days, came Felix with his wife [t]Drusilla, which was a Jewess, and he called forth Paul, and heard him of the faith in Christ.
25 And as he disputed of righteousness and temperance, and of the judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, and when I have convenient time, 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 [u]When two years were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix’s room, and Felix willing to [v]get favor of the Jews, left Paul bound.
Footnotes
- Acts 24:1 Hypocrites, when they cannot do what they would do by force and deceit, at length they go about to compass it by a show of Law.
- Acts 24:2 Felix ruled that province with great cruelty and covetousness, and yet Josephus recordeth that he did many worthy things, as that he took Eleazar the captain of certain cutthroats, and put that deceiving wretch the Egyptian to flight, which caused great troubles in Judea.
- Acts 24:2 He useth a word which the Stoics defined to be a perfect duty and behavior.
- Acts 24:5 Word for word, a plague.
- Acts 24:5 As you would say, a ringleader, or ensign bearer.
- Acts 24:5 So they called the Christians scoffingly of the town’s name where they thought that Christ was born, whereupon it came that Julian the Apostate called him Galilean.
- Acts 24:9 Confirmed Tertullus’s saying.
- 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.
- 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.
- Acts 24:13 They cannot lay forth before thee and prove by good reasons.
- 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.
- Acts 24:14 Here this word, Heresy, or sect, is taken in good part.
- Acts 24:17 Paul in conclusion telleth the thing which was done, truly, which Tertullus had before divers ways corrupted.
- Acts 24:18 And while I was busy about those things.
- Acts 24:18 Hereby it appeareth that these of Asia were Saul’s enemies, and those that stirred up the people against him.
- Acts 24:20 Whither the Tribune brought me.
- Acts 24:22 The Judge suspendeth his sentence, because the matter is doubtful.
- 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.
- 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.
- Acts 24:24 This Drusilla was Agrippa’s sister, of whom Luke speaketh afterward, a very harlot and licentious woman, and being the wife of Azizus king of the Emesens, who was circumcised, departed from him, and went to Felix, the brother of one Pallas, who was sometime Nero’s bondman.
- Acts 24:27 In a naughty mind that is guilty to itself, although, sometimes there be some show of equity, yet by and by, it will be extinguished: but in the mean season we have need to patience, and that continual.
- Acts 24:27 For whereas he had behaved himself very wickedly in the province, had it not been for favor of his brother Pallas, he should have died for it: so that we may gather hereby why he would have pleasured the Jews.
Acts 24
Authorized (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 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.
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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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