Acts 24Book 44 of 66 · 27 verses · MBT primary, NKJV fallback where MBT pending
Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.
And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude.
But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing.
For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.
But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,
ordering 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.
The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.
Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,
You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
And they didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.
Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me.
But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.
I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.
Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
Now after many years I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people,
while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.
It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me.
Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’
Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”
He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.
Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.
Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.”
At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.
But after two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.