Acts 24

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BBE WEB

The speech of Tertullus against Paul

And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came with certain of the rulers, and an expert talker, one Tertullus; and they made a statement to Felix against Paul. After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
And when he had been sent for, Tertullus, starting his statement, said, Because by you we are living in peace, and through your wisdom wrongs are put right for this nation, When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,
In all things and in all places we are conscious of our great debt to you, most noble Felix. we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
But, so that I may not make you tired, I make a request to you of your mercy, to give hearing to a short statement. But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
For this man, in our opinion, is a cause of trouble, a maker of attacks on the government among Jews through all the empire, and a chief mover in the society of the Nazarenes: For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Who, in addition, was attempting to make the Temple unclean: whom we took, He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
[] Not in WEB
And from whom you will be able, by questioning him yourself, to get knowledge of all the things which we say against him. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
And the Jews were in agreement with his statement, saying that these things were so. The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

Paul's defence before Felix

Then when the ruler had given him a sign to make his answer, Paul said, Because I have knowledge that you have been a judge over this nation for a number of years, I am glad to make my answer: When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
Seeing that you are able to make certain of the fact that it is not more than twelve days from the time when I came up to Jerusalem for worship; seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
And they have not seen me in argument with any man in the Temple, or working up the feelings of the people, in the Synagogues or in the town: In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
And they are not able to give facts in support of the things which they say against me now. Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
But this I will say openly to you, that I do give worship to the God of our fathers after that Way, which to them is not the true religion: but I have belief in all the things which are in the law and in the books of the prophets: But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
Hoping in God for that which they themselves are looking for, that there will be a coming back from the dead for upright men and wrongdoers. having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
And in this, I do my best at all times to have no reason for shame before God or men. Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
Now after a number of years I came to give help and offerings to my nation: Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
And having been made clean, I was in the Temple, but not with a great number of people, and not with noise: but there were certain Jews from Asia, amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
And it would have been better if they had come here to make a statement, if they have anything against me. They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
Or let these men here present say what wrongdoing was seen in me when I was before the Sanhedrin, Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
But only this one thing which I said among them in a loud voice, I am this day being judged on the question of the coming back from the dead. unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

Felix trembles at the reasoning of Paul

But Felix, who had a more detailed knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, When Lysias, the chief captain, comes down, I will give attention to your business. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
And he gave orders to the captain to keep Paul under his control, and to let him have everything he had need of; and not to keep his friends from coming to see him. He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was of the Jews by birth, and sent for Paul, and gave hearing to him about faith in Christ Jesus. But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
And while he was talking about righteousness and self-control and the judging which was to come, Felix had great fear and said, Go away for the present, and when the right time comes I will send for you. As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
For he was hoping that Paul would give him money: so he sent for him more frequently and had talk with him. Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
But after two years Porcius Festus took the place of Felix, who, desiring to have the approval of the Jews, kept Paul in chains. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
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