Acts 24
1 Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They presented their case against Paul to the governor.
2 When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began his accusation: “We have enjoyed much peace through you, and reforms have been made for this nation through your foresight.
3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with the deepest gratitude.
4 But so I don't keep you any longer, I ask you to hear us briefly, in your kindness.
5 We have found this man to be a plague. He stirs up riots among Jews throughout the world and is a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
8 If you question him yourself, you can learn from him about everything we are accusing him of.”
9 The Jews also joined in, affirming that these things were so.
10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak, and he replied: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I make my defense with confidence.
11 You can verify that it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 They did not find me arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.
13 Nor can they prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me.
14 But I confess this to you: I serve the God of my ancestors according to the Way they call a sect, believing everything written in the Law and the Prophets.
15 I have hope in God—a hope these men themselves also share—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16 For this reason, I too always strive to keep a clear conscience before God and people.
17 After many years, I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation.
18 While doing this, they found me in the temple, purified, without a crowd or any disturbance.
19 Some Jews from Asia were there. They should be here before you to bring charges if they have anything against me.
20 Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council.
21 Unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood among them: ‘It is because of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22 Felix, who knew the facts about the Way quite well, postponed the case and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”
23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to give him some freedom and not prevent any of his own people from attending to him.
24 Some days later, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 But as Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and replied, “For now, go. When I have an opportunity, I will call for you.”
26 At the same time, he hoped Paul would give him money. So he sent for him more often and talked with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wanting to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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