Acts 24
1 ମହାୟାଜକ ହନାନିୟ ପାଞ୍ଚଦିନ ପରେ କତକେ ୟିହୁଦୀୟ ନେତା ଓ ତତ୍ତୁର୍ଲ୍ଲ ନାମକ ଜଣେ ଓକିଲଙ୍କୁ ନଇେ କାଇସରୀଆ ରେ ପହନ୍ଚିଲେ। ସଠାେରେ ସମାନେେ ରାଜ୍ଯପାଳଙ୍କ ସାମନା ରେ ପାଉଲଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଅଭିଯୋଗ କଲେ।
2 ତେଣୁ ପାଉଲଙ୍କୁ ଡ଼କା ହେଲା। ତତ୍ତୁର୍ଲ୍ଲ ତାହାଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରି କହିଲେ, ହେ ମହାମାନ୍ଯ ଫଲେିକ୍ସ! ଆମ୍ଭ ଲୋକମାନେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ସକାେଶ ବହୁତ ଶାନ୍ତି ରେ ଜୀବନଯାପନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି, ତେଣୁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ଯବାଦ ଜଣାଉଅଛୁ। ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଦୂରଦୃଷ୍ଟି ଯୋଗଁୁ ଏ ଜାତି ନିମନ୍ତେ ବହୁତ ଉନ୍ନତିକର କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ହାଇପୋରୁଛି।
3 ଏଥିପାଇଁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ସବୁ ପ୍ରକାର ଓ ସର୍ବଦା ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଅତ୍ଯନ୍ତ କୃତଜ୍ଞ।
4 ଏବେ ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ଅଧିକ ସମୟ ନଷ୍ଟ କରିବାକୁ ଇଚ୍ଛା ନକରି, ସଂକ୍ଷପରେେ ଆମ୍ଭ କଥା କହିବି। ତେଣୁ ଆପଣ ର୍ଧୈୟ୍ଯ ଧରି ଆମ୍ଭ କଥା ଶୁଣନ୍ତୁ।
5 ଏ ବ୍ଯକ୍ତି ଜଣେ ଗଣ୍ଡଗୋଳକାରୀ। ସେ ସାରା ପୃଥିବୀର ଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କ ମଧିଅରେ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରୁଛି ଓ ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ମତାଉଛି। ନାଜରିତୀୟ ସମ୍ପ୍ରଦାୟର ଜଣେ ମୁଖ୍ଯ ନେତା।
6 ଏପରିକି ସେ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ଅପବିତ୍ର କରିବା ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ଯ ଚେ଼ଷ୍ଟା କରୁଥିଲା।
7 କିନ୍ତୁ ସତେିକି ବେଳେ ଆମ୍ଭେ ତାହାକୁ ଧରିନଲେୁ।
8 ଆପଣ ନିଜେ ତାକୁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରି ତାହାଠାରୁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ତାଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ କରଥିବା ସମସ୍ତେ ଅଭିଯୋଗର ସତ୍ଯାସତ୍ଯ ଜାଣି ପାରିବେ।
9 ତା'ପରେ ସମସ୍ତ ଯିହୂଦୀମାନେ ଏହି ଅଭିଯୋଗ ସତ୍ଯ ବୋଲି କହିଲେ।
10 ରାଜ୍ଯପାଳ ଯେତବେେଳେ ପାଉଲଙ୍କୁ କହିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ, ସେତବେେଳେ ପାଉଲ ଉତ୍ତର ଦଇେ କହିଲେ, ମୁଁ ଜାଣେ ଯେ ଆପଣ ଅନକେ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ଏ ଜାତିର ବିଚ଼ାରକର୍ତ୍ତା ଭାବରେ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ କରିଆସୁଛନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ମୁଁ ଆନନ୍ଦ ରେ ମାରେ ପକ୍ଷସମର୍ଥନ କରୁଅଛ।
11 ଆପଣ ନିଜେ ଜାଣି ପାରିବେ ଯେ ମୁଁ କବେଳେ ଉପାସନା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ମାତ୍ର ବାରଦିନ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଥିଲି।
12 ସମାନେେ ମାେତେ ମନ୍ଦିର ରେ ବା କୌଣସି ସମାଜ ଗୃହ ରେ ବା ସହର ରେ କାହାରି ସହ ୟୁକ୍ତି ତର୍କ କରିବା ବା ଭିଡ଼ ଜମଇବୋର ଦେଖି ନାହାଁନ୍ତି।
13 ଏହି ଲୋକମାନେ ମାେ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଯେଉଁ ଅଭିଯୋଗ କରୁଛନ୍ତି, ତାହାର ପ୍ରମାଣ ସମାନେେ ଦଇେ ପାରିବେ ନାହିଁ।
14 କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ କଥା ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ କହୁଛି, ଏମାନେ ଯେଉଁମାନଙ୍କୁ ଗୋଟିଏ 'ଦଳ' ବୋଲି କହନ୍ତି, ସହେି ମତାନୁଯାଯୀ ମୁଁ ମାରେ ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷମାନଙ୍କ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ଉପାସନା କରେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ମାଶାଙ୍କେ ବ୍ଯବସ୍ଥା ଯାହା ସବୁ ଶିକ୍ଷା ଦିଏ, ଓ ଭାବବାଦୀ ପୁସ୍ତକରେ ଯାହା ସବୁ ଲଖାେଅଛି, ସେ ସବୁ ମୁଁ ଦୃଢ଼ ରୂପେ ବିଶ୍ବାସ କରେ।
15 ଏହି ବ୍ଯକ୍ତିମାନଙ୍କ ଭଳି, ମୁଁ ମଧ୍ଯ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କଠା ରେ ଏହି ଭରସା ରଖିଛି ଯେ, ଉଭୟ ଉତ୍ତମ ଓ ଦୁଷ୍ଟ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ମୃତ୍ଯୁରୁ ପୁନରୁତ୍ଥାନ ହବେ।
16 ସେଥିପାଇଁ ମୁଁ ପରମେଶ୍ବର ଓ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖ ରେ ଯାହା ଠିକ୍ ବୋଲି ଅନୁଭବ କରେ, ତାହା ଅନୁଯାଯୀ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସର୍ବଦା ଚେ଼ଷ୍ଟା କରେ।
17 ମୁଁ ବହୁତ ବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ୟିରୂଶାଲମରୁ ଦୂର ରେ ଥିଲି। ତା'ପରେ ମାେ ଦରିଦ୍ର ଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅର୍ଥ ସାହାୟ୍ଯ ଦବୋ ପାଇଁ ଓ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ପାଖ ରେ ଦାନ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ୟିରୂଶାଲମକୁ ଫରେିଲି।
18 ମୁଁ ମନ୍ଦିର ରେ ନିଜକୁ ଶୁଚ଼ି କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇଥିଲି। ଶୁଚ଼ିକରଣ ଉତ୍ସବ ସରିଗଲାପରେ କେତକେ ଯିହୂଦୀମାନେ ସଠାେରେ ମାେତେ ଦେଖିଲେ। ମୁଁ ସଠାେରେ କୌଣସି ଗଣ୍ଡଗୋଳ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିନାହିଁ କି ମାେ ସହିତ କୌଣସି ଲୋକ ମଧ୍ଯ ନଥିଲେ।
19 ସେ ସମୟରେ ଏସିଆର କେତକେ ଯିହୂଦୀ ସଠାେରେ ଥିଲେ। ଯଦି ସମାନଙ୍କେର ମାେ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ କିଛି ଆପତ୍ତି ଥାଏ ତବେେ ସମାନେେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ହବୋ ଉଚ଼ିତ୍,
20 ନଚେ଼ତ୍ ଆପଣ ଏଠା ରେ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ଥିବା ଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ପଚ଼ାରନ୍ତୁ, ସମାନଙ୍କେ ପରିଷଦ ସଭା ରେ, ସମାନଙ୍କେ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ମୁଁ ଯେତବେେଳେ ଠିଆ ହଲିେ, ସେତବେେଳେ ସମାନେେ ମାଠାେ ରେ କଣ ସବୁ ଦୋଷ ଦେଖିଲେ?
21 ମୁଁ କବଳେ ଗୋଟିଏ କଥା ସମାନଙ୍କେ ମଧିଅରେ ଠିଆ ହାଇେ ଜାରେ ରେ କହିଥିଲି ଯେ, 'ମୃତ୍ଯୁରୁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ପୁନରୁତ୍ଥାନ ହବେ ବୋଲି ବିଶ୍ବାସ କରୁଥିବାରୁ ମାରେଆଜି ସଭା ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ବିଚ଼ାର ହେଉଛି।'
22 ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟଙ୍କର ମାର୍ଗ ବିଷୟ ରେ ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ଜାଣିଥିବାରୁ ଶୁଣାଣି ସ୍ଥଗିତ ରଖିଲେ। ସେ କହିଲେ, ସନୋଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷ ଲୂସିଯା ଆସିବା ପରେ ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ବିଚ଼ାର କରିବି।
23 ଫଲେିକ୍ସ୍ ଶତ ସନୋପତିଙ୍କ ଜିମା ରେ ପାଉଲଙ୍କୁ ରଖିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ। ସେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ନଜରବନ୍ଦୀ ରେ ରଖି କିଛି ସ୍ବାଧୀନତା ଦବୋ ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ଯ ଆଜ୍ଞା ଦେଲେ। ପାଉଲଙ୍କ ବନ୍ଧୁମାନେ ଯଦି ତାହାଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ କୌଣସି ଆବଶ୍ଯକୀୟ ଜିନିଷ ନଇେ ଆସନ୍ତି, ତବେେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ବାଧା ନଦବୋ ନିମନ୍ତେ ମଧ୍ଯ ସେ ସହେି ଶତ ସନୋପତିଙ୍କୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ।
24 କିଛି ଦିନ ପରେ ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ତାହାଙ୍କ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଦ୍ରୁସିଲ୍ଲାଙ୍କୁ ନଇେ ଆସିଲେ। ସେ ଯିହୂଦୀ ଥିଲେ। ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ପାଉଲଙ୍କୁ ଡ଼କାଇ ତାହାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କଠା ରେ ବିଶ୍ବାସ ବିଷୟ ରେ ଶୁଣିଲେ।
25 କିନ୍ତୁ ପାଉଲ ଯେତବେେଳେ ଧାର୍ମିକ ଜୀବନ, ଆତ୍ମସଂୟମ ଓ ଆଗାମୀ ବିଚ଼ାର ବିଷୟ ରେ କହିଲେ, ସେତବେେଳେ ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ଭୟଭୀତ ହାଇଗେଲେ। ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ କହିଲେ, ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଯାଅ। ମାରେ ସମୟ ହେଲେ ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଡ଼ାକିବି।
26 କିନ୍ତୁ ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ପାଉଲଙ୍କ ସହିତ କଥା ହବୋର ଆଉ ଗୋଟିଏ କାରଣ ଥିଲା। ସେ ଆଶା କରିଥିଲେ ଯେ ପାଉଲ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଟଙ୍କା ଲାଞ୍ଚ ଦବେେ। ତେଣୁ ସେ ପାଉଲଙ୍କୁ ଅନକେଥର ଡ଼କାଇ କଥା ହେଉଥିଲେ।
27 କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହିପରି ଦୁଇ ବର୍ଷ ବିତିଗଲାପରେ ପର୍କିୟ ଫେଷ୍ଟ ରାଜ୍ଯପାଳ ହେଲେ। ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ଆଉ ରାଜ୍ଯପାଳ ପଦ ରେ ରହିଲେ ନାହିଁ। ତେଣୁ ଫଲେୀକ୍ସ୍ ଯିହୂଦୀୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପାଉଲଙ୍କୁ ବନ୍ଦୀ ଅବସ୍ଥା ରେ କାରାଗାର ରେ ରଖି ଚ଼ାଲିଗଲେ।
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.
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,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency 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 upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
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:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
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:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
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:
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 herein do 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 Whereupon 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 ought 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.