Acts 24

¹Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer [named] Tertullus, who presented to the governor {their case} against Paul.

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.

³In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge [this] with all gratitude.

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

⁵We have found this man [to be] a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews 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].

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

⁹The Jews 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 for many years, I gladly make my defense.

¹¹You can verify {for yourself} that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

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

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

¹⁴I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God 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 that they themselves cherish, [that] there will be a resurrection of both [the] righteous and [the] wicked.

¹⁶In this [hope], I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

¹⁷After several years, then, I returned [ to Jerusalem ] to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

¹⁸At 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 from [the province of] Asia

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

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

²¹unless [it was] this one thing I called out as I stood in their [presence]:‘ [It is] concerning [the] resurrection of [the] dead [that] I am on trial before you today.’”

²²Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing [and] said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

²³He ordered the centurion to keep [Paul] under guard, [but] to allow him some freedom and permit his [friends] to minister to his [needs].

²⁴After several days, Felix returned with [his] wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him [speak] about faith in Christ Jesus.

²⁵[As] [Paul] expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened [and] said, “You may go for now. [When] I find the time, I will call for you.”

²⁶At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for [Paul] frequently [and] talked with him.

²⁷[After] two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.