Acts 24
1 Five days later Ananias the high priest arrived with some of the Jewish leaders, and with a lawyer called Tertullus. They presented formal charges against Paul to the governor.
Now after five days the high priest Ananias went down with the elders and a certain orator, Tertullus, and they informed the governor against Paul.
2 When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began making his case against him. He said, “Your Excellency Governor Felix, we have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and as a result of your wise judgment reforms have been enacted for the benefit of the nation.
So when he had been called in, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and your foresight has brought prosperity to this nation,
3 All of us throughout the country are so very grateful to you for this.
we recognize this, most noble Felix, with full gratitude, always and everywhere.
4 But in order not to bore you, please be so kind as to give us your attention for a short while.
But so as not to detain you unduly, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5 We discovered that this man is a real pest, stirring up rebellions among Jews all over the world, a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.
We have found this man to be a plague, a creator of discord among all the Jews throughout the world, a ringleader of the Natsorean sect,
6 He tried to defile the Temple, so we arrested him.
and he even tried to profane the temple; so we arrested him.
8 By interrogating him yourself you will discover the truth of our accusations.”
By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews joined in, saying that this was all true.
And the Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
10 The Governor motioned for Paul to respond. “Recognizing you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense,” Paul began.
When the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul answered: “Knowing, as I do, that you have been an equitable judge of this nation for many years, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
11 “You can easily verify that I arrived in Jerusalem to worship just twelve days ago.
because you can ascertain that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 Nobody found me arguing in the Temple with anyone, or inciting people to riot in any synagogue or anywhere in the city.
They did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd—not in the temple, not in the synagogues, not around the city.
13 Nor can they prove to you any of their accusations against me.
Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But I will admit this to you: I serve the God of our fathers following the beliefs of the Way, which they call a heretical sect. I believe everything the law teaches and what is written in the books of the prophets.
But I do profess this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, that is how I worship the ancestral God, believing all things that stand written throughout the Law and the Prophets,
15 I have the same hope in God that they do, believing that there will be a resurrection of the good and the wicked.
having hope in God, which these themselves also look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both the just and unjust.
16 Consequently I try to make sure I always have a clear conscience before God and everyone.
And this is why I apply myself to always have a clear conscience before both God and men.
17 Having been away for a few years I returned to bring some money to help the poor and to give offerings to God.
Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 That's what they found me doing in the Temple—completing the ceremony of purification. There was no crowd and no disturbance.
in the midst of which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor confusion.
19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there, who should be present here before you today to bring their charges, if they have anything against me.
They are the ones that had to be here before you and make accusation, if they had anything against me.
20 Otherwise let these men here explain themselves what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council,
Or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me, when I stood before the council,
21 except for the time when I shouted out to them, ‘I am on trial before you today because of my belief in the resurrection of the dead.’”
unless it be for this one statement that I called out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you today.’”
22 Felix who was well-informed about the Way then adjourned the trial. “When Lysias the commander comes I will make my decision regarding your case,” he said.
Upon hearing these things Felix, having an accurate knowledge of the things concerning the Way, adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down I will decide your case.”
23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some measure of freedom and to let Paul's friends care for him without interference.
And he ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody but have some freedom, and not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or to visit him.
24 Some days later Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about trusting in Christ Jesus.
Now after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith into Christ Jesus.
25 He discussed with them about living right, self-control, and the coming judgment. Felix became alarmed and told Paul, “You can go now, and I'll send for you when I get the chance.”
But as he expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have occasion I will summon you.”
26 Hoping that Paul would give him a bribe, Felix often sent for Paul and talked with him.
At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, that he might release him; so he frequently summoned and conversed with him.
27 Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. To stay in favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
But after two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; so Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul in prison.
