Acts 24

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.2 And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.4 But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:6 who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.7 But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,8 commanding his accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.9 And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.10 And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:11 Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:12 and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.13 Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.16 Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:18 amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia--19 who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when 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 before you this day.22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.23 And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.24 But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.26 He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Acts 24

The Accusations Against Paul

1 After five days the high priest Ananiass came down with some elders and an attorneyt namedt Tertullus, and theyt brought formal chargest against Paul to the governor.2 When Pault had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,t saying, “We have experienced a lengthy timet of peace through your rule,t and reformst are being made in this nationt through your foresight.s3 Most excellent Felix,s we acknowledge this everywhere and in every wayt with all gratitude.t4 But so that I may not delayt you any further, I begt you to hear us brieflyt with your customary graciousness.t5 For we have foundt this man to be a troublemaker,t one who stirs up riotst among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleaderts of the sect of the Nazarenes.s6 Het even tried to desecratet the temple, so we arrestedt him.s8 When you examinet him yourself, you will be able to learn from himt about all these things we are accusing him of doing.”t

9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack,t claimingt that these things were true.

Paul’s Defense Before Felix

10 When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I knowt that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.s11 As you can verifyt for yourself, not more than twelve days agots I went up to Jerusalems to worship.12 They did not find me arguingt with anyone or stirring up a crowdt in the temple courtst or in the synagoguess or throughout the city,s13 nor can they provets to you the thingst they are accusing me of doing.t14 But I confess this to you, that I worshipt the God of our ancestorst according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the laws and that is written in the prophets.15 I havet a hope in God (a hopes thatt these ment themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.ts16 This is the reasont I do my best to alwayst have a cleart conscience toward God and toward people.t17 After several yearst I came to bring to my people gifts for the poort and to present offerings,t18 which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified,s without a crowd or a disturbance.t19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asiat who should be here before you and bring charges,ts if they have anything against me.20 Or these men heret should tell what crimet they found me guilty oft when I stood before the council,t

21 other thant this one thingt I shouted out while I stood beforet them: ‘I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”s
22 Then Felix,s who understood the factst concerning the Wayt more accurately,t adjourned their hearing,t saying, “When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case.”t

23 He ordered the centurions to guard Paul,t but to let him have some freedom,t and not to prevent any of his friendst from meeting his needs.t

Paul Speaks Repeatedly to Felix

24 Some days later, when Felixs arrived with his wife Drusilla,s who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speakt about faith in Christ Jesus.t25 While Pault was discussingt righteousness, self-control,ts and the coming judgment, Felixs becamet frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity,t I will send for you.”26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money,ts and for this reason he sent for Pault as often as possiblet and talkedt with him.

27 After two yearst had passed, Porcius Festuss succeeded Felix,ts and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.ts