24:1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
24:2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
24:3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
24:4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
24:5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
24:6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
24:7
24:8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
24:9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
24:10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.
24:11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
24:12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.
24:13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
24:14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
24:15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
24:17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
24:18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
24:19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.
24:20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin–
24:21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
24:22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”
24:23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24:24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
24:25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
24:26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
24:27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain orator, Tertullus; and they gave their information against Paul to the governor.
24:2 And when Paul was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Since we have obtained much peace through you, and since reforms are being carried out for this nation through your forethought
24:3 Both in every way and everywhere, we welcome it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
24:4 But that I may not detain you further, I entreat you to hear us briefly in your forbearance.
24:5 For we have found this man a pest and an agitator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
24:6 Who has also tried to profane the temple. Him also we laid hold of and wanted to judge according to our law,
24:7 But Lysias the commander came by and with much force took him away from our hands
24:8 And ordered his accusers to come to you. When you have examined this man yourself concerning all these things, you will be able to ascertain from him the things which we accuse him of.
24:9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
24:10 And when the governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered: Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I gladly make my defense for the things concerning myself,
24:11 Since you can realize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
24:12 And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with anyone nor stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city.
24:13 Neither are they able to prove to you the things which they now accuse me of.
24:14 But I confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets;
24:15 Having hope toward God, which these themselves also look for, that there is to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
24:16 Because of this I also exercise myself to always have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
24:17 Now after many years I came bringing alms to my nation and offerings;
24:18 In which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd or uproar. But certain Jews from Asia,
24:19 Who should have been present before you and made accusation if they had anything against me ?
24:20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
24:21 Other than concerning this one sound which I cried out while standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged today before you.
24:22 But Felix, knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the commander comes down, I will determine your affairs.
24:23 And he directed the centurion to keep him in custody, and that he should have some liberty and that no one should prevent his own people from attending to him.
24:24 But after some days, Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
24:25 And as he was reasoning concerning righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and answered, Go for the present, and when I have an opportunity, I will call for you;
24:26 Hoping at the same time also that money would be given to him by Paul. Therefore he also sent for him more frequently and conversed with him.
24:27 And when two years were completed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wanting to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.