Acts 24

1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they presented their case against Paul to the governor.

2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Because of you we have enjoyed a long period of peace, and your foresight has brought about reforms for this nation.

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

4But so as not to take up more of your time, I ask you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

5We have found this man to be a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6He even tried to desecrate the temple, and we seized him.

7[But Lysias the commander came and took him out of our hands with great force.]

8By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about all these things of which we accuse him.”

9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I gladly make my defense.

11You can verify that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12They did not find me arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.

13Nor can they prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me.

14But this I admit to you: I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the law and that is written in the Prophets,

15and I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

16So I too always strive to keep a clear conscience before God and before people.

17After several years, I came to bring gifts for the poor to my nation and to present offerings.

18While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without any crowd or disturbance. But some Jews from Asia were there,

19and they ought to be here before you to bring charges if they have anything against me.

20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21unless it was this one statement that I shouted out as I stood among them: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

22But Felix, who had a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, adjourned the hearing. “When Lysias the commander comes down,” he said, “I will decide your case.”

23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

24Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “That is enough for now. You may go. When I find a convenient time, I will send for you.”

26At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money. So he sent for him quite often and talked with him.

27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.