delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers also have come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
CHAP. 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 to this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 However, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I beseech thee that thou wouldest of thy clemency hear us 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, and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: by examining whom thou thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, of which we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither provoking the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship 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 in this 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 Upon which 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 any thing 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 is for this one thing, that I cried standing among them, Concerning 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 make a decision on your case.
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 to him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, self-control, 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 by Paul, that he might loose him: therefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came in place of Felix: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a favour, left Paul bound.
CHAP. 25.
Now when Festus had come into the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly there .
5 Let them therefore, said he, who among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there is any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. [1]
7 And when he had come, the Jews
- ↑ more...: or, as some copies read, no more than eight or ten days
