Acts 24:4-26

4But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you 1to 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 2the world, and a ringleader of the 3sect of the Nazarenes. 6And he even tried to 4desecrate the temple; and 5then we arrested him. [6We 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.” 97The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10When 8the 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 9twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 1210Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or 11causing 12a riot. 1313Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14But this I admit to you, that according to 14the Way which they call a 15sect I do serve 1617the God of our fathers, 18believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15having a hope in God, which 19these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16In view of this, 20I also 21do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17Now 22after several years I 23came to bring 24alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been 25purified, without any 26crowd or uproar. But there were some 27Jews from 28Asia-- 19who ought to have been present before you and to 29make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before 30the 31Council, 21other than for this one statement which 32I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22But Felix, 33having a more exact knowledge about 34the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the 35commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be 36kept in custody and yet 37have some freedom, and not to prevent any of 38his friends from ministering to him.

24But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his 39wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about 40faith in Christ Jesus. 25But as he was discussing 41righteousness, 42self-control and 43the 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 44money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.