Acts 24

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

2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought worthy reforms to this nation.

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

4 But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”

9 The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

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

11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

13 Nor can they prove any of their charges against me.

14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is written throughout the Law and the Prophets,

15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of the dead—of both the righteous and the wicked.

16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia

19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am being tried by you today.’”

22 On hearing these things Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to come and minister to his needs.

24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ.

25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe to release him. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.

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

1 ¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3 We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our hands,

8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

10 ¶ Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

20 Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while 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 by you this day.

22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

1 For five days Ananias the high priest went down with the elders, and with Tertullus the orator, which appeared before the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called, he began to accuse Tertullus, and said:

3 That we live in great peace under thee, and that many good deeds are done to this people by thy prudence, most dear Felix, we accept with all thankfulness in every way and in every place.

4 But lest I detain thee too long, I beseech thee, that thou wouldest hear us lately after thy kindness.

5 We have found this man injurious, and the sedition aroused all the Jews throughout the whole earth, and a chief of the sect of the Nazarenes,

6 Who also hath sought to profane the temple; whom also we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But Lysias the captain of the guard met it, and brought him out of our hands with great violence.

8 And called his accusers unto thee, of whom thou mayest inquire, if thou wilt inquire, of all that we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also spake unto them, saying, It is so.

10 And Paul, when the governor beckoned him to speak, answered, Because I know that thou hast been a judge among this people many years, I will answer fearlessly.

11 For thou canst know that there are not more than twelve days since I came up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 Neither have they found me speaking with any in the temple, or making a disturbance among the people, or in the synagogues, or in the cities:

13 you can't teach me what they're suing me for either.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after this way, which they call a sect, I serve the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.

15 And have hope in God, which they themselves also wait for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 But in the same I exercise myself to have an unharmed conscience in all things, both toward God and toward men.

17 But after many years I came, and brought alms unto my people, and sacrifices.

18 And they found me purifying myself in the temple without all tumult and tumultuousness.

19 Now there were certain Jews of Asia, which should be here before thee, and should accuse me, if they had any thing against me.

20 Or let these say themselves, whether they have found any thing wrong in me, while I stand before the council,

21 Without one word, when I stood among them, and cried: For the resurrection of the dead am I accused of you this day.

22 And when Felix heard these things, he brought them up: for he knew this way almost well, and said, When Lysias the centurion cometh down, I will inquire of your thing.

23 And he commanded the governor to keep Paul, and to let him have rest, and to forbid any of his own to minister unto him, or to come unto him.

24 And after some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, and demanded Paul, and heard him of the faith of Christ.

25 And when Paul spake of righteousness, and of chastity, and of the judgment to come, Felix was afraid, and answered, Go thy way this time; when I have convenient time, I will send for thee.

26 And he hoped that money should be given him of Paul, that he should let him go; wherefore he sent for him often, and consulted with him.

27 And when two years were expired, Portius Festus came in Felix's stead. But Felix, wishing to do the Jews a kindness, left Paul captive behind him.