Acts 24

Paul before Felix

1After 1five days the high priest 2Ananias came down with some elders, 3with an 4attorney named Tertullus, and they 5brought charges to 6the governor against Paul. 2After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,

“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, 7most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you 8to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout 9the world, and a ringleader of the 10sect of the Nazarenes. 6And he even tried to 11desecrate the temple; and 12then we arrested him. [13We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 914The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10When 15the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11since you can take note of the fact that no more than 16twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 1217Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or 18causing 19a riot. 1320Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14But this I admit to you, that according to 21the Way which they call a 22sect I do serve 2324the God of our fathers, 25believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15having a hope in God, which 26these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16In view of this, 27I also 28do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17Now 29after several years I 30came to bring 31alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been 32purified, without any 33crowd or uproar. But there were some 34Jews from 35Asia-- 19who ought to have been present before you and to 36make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before 37the 38Council, 21other than for this one statement which 39I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22But Felix, 40having a more exact knowledge about 41the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the 42commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be 43kept in custody and yet 44have some freedom, and not to prevent any of 45his friends from ministering to him.

24But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his 46wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about 47faith in Christ Jesus. 25But as he was discussing 48righteousness, 49self-control and 50the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26At the same time too, he was hoping that 51money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27But after two years had passed, Felix 52was succeeded by Porcius 53Festus, and 54wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul 55imprisoned.