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 Chapter
24
- 24:1
- 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.
- 24:2
- 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,
- 24:3
- We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix,
with all thankfulness.
- 24:4
- Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee,
I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few
words.
- 24:5
- 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:
- 24:6
- Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took,
and would have judged according to our law.
- 24:7
- But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great
violence took him away out of our hands,
- 24:8
- Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of
whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof
we accuse him.
- 24:9
- And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were
so.
- 24:10
- 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:
- 24:11
- Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but
twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
- 24:12
- 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:
- 24:13
- Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse
me.
- 24:14
- 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:
- 24:15
- 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.
- 24:16
- And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience
void to offence toward God, and toward men.
- 24:17
- Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and
offerings.
- 24:18
- Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the
temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
- 24:19
- Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they
had ought against me.
- 24:20
- Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil
doing in me, while I stood before the council,
- 24:21
- 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.
- 24:22
- 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.
- 24:23
- 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.
- 24:24
- 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.
- 24:25
- 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.
- 24:26
- 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.
- 24:27
- But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room:
and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
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