Acts 24

¹After five days , the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator , one Tertullus . They informed the governor against Paul .

²When he was called , Tertullus began to accuse him , saying , “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace , and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight ,

³we accept it in all ways and in all places , most excellent Felix , with all thankfulness .

⁴But that I don’t delay you , I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words .

⁵For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world , and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes .

⁶He even tried to profane the temple , and we arrested him .[#24:6 TR adds “We wanted to judge him according to our law,”]

⁸By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him .”[#24:8 TR adds “commanding his accusers to come to you.”]

⁹The Judeans also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so .

¹⁰When the governor had beckoned to him to speak , Paul answered , “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years , I cheerfully make my defense,

¹¹seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem .

¹²In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd , either in the synagogues or in the city .

¹³Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me .

¹⁴But this I confess to you , that according to the Way , which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers , believing all things which are according to the Torah, and which are written in the Prophets ;

¹⁵having hope toward God , which these also themselves look for , that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

¹⁶In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men .

¹⁷Now after some years , I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation , and offerings ;

¹⁸amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple , not with a mob , nor with turmoil.

¹⁹They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me .

²⁰Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council ,

²¹unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them , ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today !’”

²²But Felix , having more exact knowledge concerning the Way , deferred them , saying , “When Lysias , the commanding officer, comes down , I will decide your case .”

²³He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him .

²⁴After some days , Felix came with Drusilla his wife , who was a Jewess , and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Messiah Yeshua.

²⁵As he reasoned about righteousness , self-control , and the judgment to come , Felix was terrified , and answered, “Go your way for this time , and when it is convenient for me , I will summon you .”

²⁶Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul , that he might release him . Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him .

²⁷But when two years were fulfilled , Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus , and desiring to gain favor with the Judeans, Felix left Paul in bonds .