The Accusation against Paul

24 Five days later Ananias(A) the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.(B) When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent(C) Felix, with utmost gratitude. But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. For we have found this man to be a plague,(D) an agitator(E) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.(F) He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him.[a] By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:6 Some mss include vv. 6b-8a: and wanted to judge him according to our law. But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, commanding his accusers to come to you.

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.

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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.