Acts 24
Paul defends his innocence before Felix the governor. He preaches the faith to him.
Post quinque autem dies descendit princeps sacerdotum Ananias, cum senioribus quibusdam, et Tertullo quodam oratore, qui adierunt præsidem adversus Paulum.
And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with some ancients and one Tertullus, an orator, who went to the governor against Paul.
Et citato Paulo cœpit accusare Tertullus, dicens: Cum in multa pace agamus per te, et multa corrigantur per tuam providentiam,
And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: Whereas, through thee we live in much peace and many things are rectified by thy providence,
semper et ubique suscipimus, optime Felix, cum omni gratiarum actione.
We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.
Ne diutius autem te protraham, oro, breviter audias nos pro tua clementia.
But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in a few words.
Invenimus hunc hominem pestiferum, et concitantem seditiones omnibus Judæis in universo orbe, et auctorem seditionis sectæ Nazarenorum:
We have found this to be a pestilent man and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world: and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
qui etiam templum violare conatus est, quem et apprehensum voluimus secundum legem nostram judicare.
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.
Superveniens autem tribunus Lysias, cum vi magna eripuit eum de manibus nostris,
But Lysias the tribune, coming upon us with great violence, took him away out of our hands;
jubens accusatores ejus ad te venire: a quo poteris ipse judicans, de omnibus istis cognoscere, de quibus nos accusamus eum.
Commanding his accusers to come to thee. Of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
Adjecerunt autem et Judæi, dicentes hæc ita se habere.
And the Jews also added and said that these things were so.
Respondit autem Paulus (annuente sibi præside dicere): Ex multis annis te esse judicem genti huic sciens, bono animo pro me satisfaciam.
Then Paul answered (the governor making a sign to him to speak): Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I will with good courage answer for myself.
Potes enim cognoscere quia non plus sunt mihi dies quam duodecim, ex quo ascendi adorare in Jerusalem:
For thou mayest understand that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:
et neque in templo invenerunt me cum aliquo disputantem, aut concursum facientem turbæ, neque in synagogis, neque in civitate:
And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or causing any concourse of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.
neque probare possunt tibi de quibus nunc me accusant.
Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
Confiteor autem hoc tibi, quod secundum sectam quam dicunt hæresim, sic deservio Patri et Deo meo, credens omnibus quæ in lege et prophetis scripta sunt:
But this I confess to thee that according to the way which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets:
spem habens in Deum, quam et hi ipsi exspectant, resurrectionem futuram justorum et iniquorum.
Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.
In hoc et ipse studeo sine offendiculo conscientiam habere ad Deum et ad homines semper.
And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence, towards God and towards men.
Post annos autem plures eleemosynas facturus in gentem meam, veni, et oblationes, et vota,
Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings and vows.
in quibus invenerunt me purificatum in templo: non cum turba, neque cum tumultu.
In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude nor with tumult.
Quidam autem ex Asia Judæi, quos oportebat apud te præsto esse, et accusare si quid haberent adversum me:
But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee and to accuse, if they had anything against me:
aut hi ipsi dicant si quid invenerunt in me iniquitatis cum stem in concilio,
Or let these men themselves say if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,
nisi de una hac solummodo voce qua clamavi inter eos stans: Quoniam de resurrectione mortuorum ego judicor hodie a vobis.
Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you.
Distulit autem illos Felix, certissime sciens de via hac, dicens: Cum tribunus Lysias descenderit, audiam vos.
And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.
Jussitque centurioni custodire eum, et habere requiem, nec quemquam de suis prohibere ministrare ei.
And he commanded a centurion to keep him: and that he should be easy and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him.
Post aliquot autem dies veniens Felix cum Drusilla uxore sua, quæ erat Judæa, vocavit Paulum, et audivit ab eo fidem quæ est in Christum Jesum.
And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul and heard of him the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Disputante autem illo de justitia, et castitate, et de judicio futuro, tremefactus Felix, respondit: Quod nunc attinet, vade: tempore autem opportuno accersam te:
And as he treated of justice and chastity and of the judgment to come, Felix, being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee.
simul et sperans quod pecunia ei daretur a Paulo, propter quod et frequenter accersens eum, loquebatur cum eo.
Hoping also withal that money should be given him by Paul: for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
Biennio autem expleto, accepit successorem Felix Portium Festum. Volens autem gratiam præstare Judæis Felix, reliquit Paulum vinctum.
But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.