Acts - Chapter 24 | New International Version

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 3. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
  • 4. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
  • 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
  • 6. and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
  • 8. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."
  • 9. The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
  • 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.
  • 11. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
  • 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.
  • 13. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
  • 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,
  • 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.
  • 16. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
  • 17. After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 20. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin--
  • 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.' "
  • 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."
  • 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. 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.
  • 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."
  • 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.
  • 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.
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