Acts 24

1After five days Ananias the high priest went down with certain elders and a certain orator, Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2When he was called, Tertullus began accusing him, saying, "Through you we enjoy much peace, and reforms are happening for this nation through your providence."

3Always and everywhere we welcome it, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.

4But so as not to detain you any further, I entreat you to hear us briefly in your forbearance.

5For we have found this man a plague who stirs up insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.

6who also attempted to defile the temple, whom we also seized

8By examining him yourself you can ascertain all these things we accuse him of.

9The Jews also joined in, affirming that these things were so.

10When the governor beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Knowing that for many years you have been judge for this nation, I cheerfully make my defense about myself."

11You can recognize that there are not more than twelve days for me since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12And they neither found me in the temple debating with anyone or inciting the crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city.

13Neither are they able to prove to you the things they now accuse me of.

14But I confess this to you: I serve the God of my fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing all things in accord with the law and written in the prophets.

15I have hope toward God, which these men themselves also expect: a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous.

16In this I too train myself to always keep a blameless conscience toward God and people.

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

18In which they found me purified in the temple, neither with a crowd nor with uproar.

19But certain Jews from Asia, who ought to have been present before you and to accuse me if they had anything against me.

20Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the council.

21except for this one voice that I cried out while standing among them: concerning the resurrection of the dead, I am being judged today before you.

22But Felix, more precisely informed about the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will fully determine your case.”

23He commanded the centurion to keep him under guard and have some liberty, and not to forbid any of his acquaintances to serve him.

24After some days, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his own wife who was a Jewess, summoned Paul, and listened to him about faith in Christ Jesus.

25As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the impending judgment, Felix grew terrified and replied, "Go for the present opportunity, but once I obtain a suitable time, I will send for you."

26Meanwhile, hoping that money would be given him by Paul, he therefore sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27But after two years were completed, Felix received Porcius Festus as successor, and wanting to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul bound.