Paul before Felix

24 Now after (A)five days the high priest (B)Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they [a]brought charges against Paul to (C)the governor. After [b]Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began accusing him, saying to the governor,

“Since we have attained great peace through you, and since reforms are being carried out for this nation by your foresight, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, (D)most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I may not [c]weary you further, I beg you [d]to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness. For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout [e]the world, and a ringleader of the (E)sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to (F)desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him.[f] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.” (G)The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 And when (H)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, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than (I)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (J)And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (K)causing [g]a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself. 13 (L)Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But I confess this to you, that in accordance with [h](M)the Way, which they call a (N)sect, I do serve (O)the God of our fathers, (P)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which (Q)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this (R)I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. 17 Now (S)after several years I (T)came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been (U)purified, without any (V)crowd or uproar. But there were some (W)Jews from [i]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to have been (X)bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before (Y)the [j]Council, 21 other than in regard to this one declaration which (Z)I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”

22 But Felix, [k]having quite accurate knowledge about [l](AA)the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He gave orders to the centurion for [m]Paul to be (AB)kept in custody and yet (AC)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of (AD)his friends from providing for his needs.

24 Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his [n]wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (AE)faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing (AF)righteousness, (AG)self-control, and (AH)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that (AI)money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [o]was succeeded by Porcius (AJ)Festus; and Felix, (AK)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul (AL)imprisoned.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence or case
  2. Acts 24:2 Lit he
  3. Acts 24:4 Or impose on
  4. Acts 24:4 Lit to hear...briefly
  5. Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  6. Acts 24:6 Late mss add as the remainder of v 6: We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. v 7: But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence, and the first part of v 8: ordering his accusers to come before you.
  7. Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
  8. Acts 24:14 See John 14:6
  9. Acts 24:18 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  10. Acts 24:20 Or Sanhedrin
  11. Acts 24:22 Lit knowing more accurately
  12. Acts 24:22 See John 14:6
  13. Acts 24:23 Lit him
  14. Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
  15. Acts 24:27 Lit received as a successor, Porcius Festus

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias(A) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges(B) against Paul before the governor.(C) When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent(D) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots(E) among the Jews(F) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene(G) sect(H) and even tried to desecrate the temple;(I) so we seized him. [7] [a] By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

The other Jews joined in the accusation,(J) asserting that these things were true.

10 When the governor(K) motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days(L) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,(M) or stirring up a crowd(N) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.(O) 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors(P) as a follower of the Way,(Q) which they call a sect.(R) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,(S) 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection(T) of both the righteous and the wicked.(U) 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear(V) before God and man.

17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(W) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(X) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(Y) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(Z) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(AA) 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”(AB)

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(AC) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard(AD) but to give him some freedom(AE) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(AF)

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.(AG) 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control(AH) and the judgment(AI) to come, Felix was afraid(AJ) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,(AK) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,(AL) he left Paul in prison.(AM)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, ordering his accusers to come before you.

24 След пет дена слезе първосвещеник Анания със стареите и с някой си ритор Тертил, които явиха на управителя обвиненията си против Павла.

А като повикаха Павла, Тертил почна да го обвинява и казваше:

винаги и навсякъде с голяма благодарност признаваме, че чрез тебе, достопочтени Феликсе, у нас има пълен мир и чрез твоите грижи – у тоя народ добри сполуки.

Но, за да те не отегчавам много, моля те, изслушай с твоята снизходителност нашата кратка реч.

(A)Понеже намерихме, че тоя човек е зараза и че подига бунтове между всички иудеи по вселената и че е водач на назорейската ерес,

(B)който дори и храма се опита да оскверни, ние го хванахме и щяхме да го съдим по нашия закон;

но хилядникът Лисий дойде и с голяма сила го изтръгна от ръцете ни, и при тебе проводи,

като заповяда и нам, неговите обвинители, да дойдем при тебе. Ти ще можеш сам да разпиташ и от него да узнаеш за всичко това, в каквото го ние обвиняваме.

И иудеите потвърдиха, като казваха, че това е тъй.

10 Управителят даде на Павла знак да говори, и той отговори: понеже зная, че от много години си съдия на тоя народ, то с по-радо сърце ще говоря за моя защита.

11 Ти можеш да узнаеш, че няма повече от дванайсет дена, откак бях възлязъл в Иерусалим на поклонение.

12 И нито в храма, нито в синагогите, нито в града не са ме намерили да се препирам с някого или да правя размирица у народа,

13 и те не могат доказа това, за което ме сега обвиняват.

14 Но признавам ти се в това, че според учението, което те наричат ерес, аз тъй служа на Бога на отците ни, че вярвам на всичко, що е писано в Закона и в пророците,

15 (C)и се надявам на Бога, че ще има възкресение на мъртви, на праведни и на неправедни, което и те сами очакват.

16 (D)Затова и сам залягам да имам винаги непорочна съвест пред Бога и пред човеците.

17 (E)След много години дойдох да донеса на моя народ милостиня и приноси.

18 (F)При това, като се бях очистил, намериха ме в храма сам, без навалица и без шум,

19 някои асийски иудеи, които трябваше да се представят пред тебе и да ме обвинят, ако биха имали нещо против мене.

20 Или тия сами да кажат, дали са намерили някоя неправда в мене, когато се бях явил пред синедриона, –

21 (G)освен тия само думи, които, застанал между тях, изговорих високо: заради възкресение от мъртви ме съдите вие днес.

22 Като чу това, Феликс отложи делото, понеже знаеше доста добре за това учение, и каза: ще разгледам делото ви, кога дойде хилядник Лисий.

23 (H)И заповяда на стотника да пази Павла, но да го държи по-слабо и да не възпира никого от неговите близки да му служат, или да идват при него.

24 След няколко дни дойде Феликс с жена си Друзила, която беше иудейка, та повика Павла и слуша от него за вярата в Христа Иисуса.

25 А когато Павел говореше за правда, за въздържание и за бъдещия съд, Феликс се уплаши и отговори: сега си иди, а кога намеря време, ще те повикам.

26 При това се надяваше, че Павел ще му даде пари, за да го пусне; затова го викаше често и се разговаряше с него.

27 (I)Но, като изминаха две години, Феликса замести Порций Фест. И понеже искаше да угоди на иудеите, Феликс остави Павла в окови.

Paul Presents His Case to Felix

24 Five days later the chief priest Ananias went to the city of Caesarea with some leaders of the people and an attorney named Tertullus. They reported to the governor their charges against Paul.

When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to Felix, “Your Excellency, through your wise leadership we have lasting peace and reforms that benefit the people. We appreciate what you’ve done in every way and in every place, and we want to thank you very much. I don’t want to keep you too long. Please listen to us. We will be brief. We have found this man to be a troublemaker. He starts quarrels among all Jews throughout the world. He’s a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. He also entered the temple courtyard in a way that violates our tradition. So we arrested him.[a] When you cross-examine him, you’ll be able to find out from him that our accusations are true.”

The Jews supported Tertullus’ accusations and asserted that everything Tertullus said was true.

10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul responded, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. So I’m pleased to present my case to you. 11 You can verify for yourself that I went to Jerusalem to worship no more than twelve days ago. 12 No one found me having a discussion with anyone in the temple courtyard or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues throughout the city. 13 These people cannot even prove their accusations to you. 14 But I’ll admit to you that I’m a follower of the way ⌞of Christ⌟, which they call a sect. This means that I serve our ancestors’ God and believe everything written in Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. 15 I hope for the same thing my accusers do, that people with God’s approval and those without it will come back to life. 16 With this belief I always do my best to have a clear conscience in the sight of God and people. 17 After many years I have come back to my people and brought gifts for the poor and offerings ⌞for God⌟. 18 My accusers found me in the temple courtyard doing these things after I had gone through the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there. They should be here in front of you to accuse me if they have anything against me. 20 Otherwise, these men who are accusing me should tell what I was charged with when I stood in front of their council. 21 They could accuse me of only one thing. As I stood among them, I shouted, ‘I’m being tried in front of you because ⌞I believe that⌟ the dead will come back to life.’ ”

22 Felix knew the way ⌞of Christ⌟ rather well, so he adjourned the trial. He told them, “When the officer Lysias arrives, I’ll decide your case.” 23 Felix ordered the sergeant to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and to let his friends take care of his needs.

24 Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, “That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.” 26 At the same time, Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money. For that reason, Felix would send for Paul rather often to have friendly conversations with him.

27 Two years passed. Then Porcius Festus took Felix’s place. (Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.)

Footnotes

  1. 24:6 Some manuscripts and translations add verses 6b–8a: “We wanted to try him under our law. But the officer Lysias used force to take him from us. He ordered his accusers to come in front of you.”