24
1 After
five days, the
high priest, Ananias, came
down with certain
elders and an
orator, one
Tertullus. They
informed the
governor against
Paul.
2 When
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,
3 we accept
it in all ways
and in all
places, most
excellent Felix,
with all
thankfulness.
4 But
that I don’t
delay you, I
entreat you to
bear with us
and hear a few
words.
5 For
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.
6 He
even tried
to profane the
temple, and we
arrested him.
7
8 By examining him yourself
you may ascertain
all these things
of which we
accuse him.”
9 The
Jews also joined
in the attack, affirming
that these things
were so.
10 When
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,
11 seeing
that you can
verify that it
is not more
than twelve days
since I went
up to worship
at Jerusalem.
12 In
the temple
they didn’t find
me disputing with
anyone or stirring
up a crowd,
either in the
synagogues or in
the city.
13 Nor
can they prove
to you the
things of which
they now accuse
me.
14 But
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 law, and
which are written
in the prophets;
15 having
hope toward God,
which these also
themselves look for,
that there will
be a resurrection
of the dead, both
of the just
and unjust.
16 In
this I
also practice always
having a
conscience void of offense
toward God and
men.
17 Now
after some years,
I came to
bring gifts for
the needy to my
nation, and
offerings;
18 amid
which certain Jews
from Asia found
me purified in the
temple, not with
a mob, nor
with turmoil.
19 They
ought to have
been here before
you and to
make accusation if
they had anything
against me.
20 Or
else let these
men themselves say
what injustice they
found in me
when I stood
before the council,
21 unless 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!’ ”
22 But
Felix, having
more exact knowledge
concerning the Way,
deferred them, saying, “When
Lysias, the commanding officer,
comes down, I
will decide your
case.”
23 He
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.
24 After
some days, Felix
came with Drusilla
his wife, who
was a Jewess,
and sent for
Paul and heard him
concerning the
faith in Christ
Jesus.
25 As
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.”
26 Meanwhile,
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.
27 But
when two years
were fulfilled,
Felix was
succeeded by
Porcius Festus,
and desiring
to gain favor with
the Jews, Felix
left Paul in
bonds.