Acts 24:1-21 ▼

1 Five days later the high priest Ananias (YHWH is gracious) came down with some elders and a lawyer (an orator) named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul (humble).

2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation {ethnei}.

3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix (lucky), we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

4 But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews (people of praise) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. [And we would have judged him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.]

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8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.

9 The Jews (people of praise) concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation {ethnei} for many years, I gladly make my defense.

11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem (city of peace) to worship.

12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God {Theō} of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

15 and I have the same hope in God {Theon} that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection (rising again) of both the righteous and the wicked.

16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God {Theon} and man.

17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people {ethnos} and to present offerings.

18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews (people of praise) from the province of Asia \from Asia/

19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin (the Council),

21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection (rising again) of the dead that I am on trial before you⁺ today.