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Acts
24:1Five days later, Ananias the ruling priest came down with some elders and an orator by the name of Tertullus, and they presented to the governor their case against Paul.24:2When he was called in, Tertullus began his prosecution: “We have come into a long time of peace through you, and your foresight has brought many reforms to this nation.24:3In every way and everywhere, most honorable Felix, we accept this with all gratitude.
24:4“But in the interest of not taking too much of your time, I ask that you would be so kind as to listen to us briefly.24:5We have found this man to be a pest and troublemaker among Judeans all over the world, as well as a ringleader in the Nazarene sect.24:6He even tried to desecrate the temple compound as well, so we detained him.24:724:8Upon examining him yourself, you will be able to verify every charge we are bringing against him.”24:9The Judeans agreed, alleging that these things were true.
24:10Then the governor nodded to Paul to speak, and he said, “Since I know you have been judging this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.24:11You can easily see that no more than twelve days have passed since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.24:12But no one found me arguing with anyone or forming a mob in the temple compound, in the synagogues, or in the city.24:13They can present no evidence to support their accusations.
24:14“Yet I will admit this to you: that according to this Way, which they call a sect, I do offer divine service to the God of our ancestors and believe everything written in the Law and the Prophets.24:15My hope in God, the same as theirs, is in the coming resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.24:16It is in this hope that I continually press on with a clear conscience before God and people.
24:17“When some years had passed, I came to do charitable things for my nation and bring offerings.24:18That’s when they found me in the temple compound— purified, not with a mob or a riot!24:19And there are some Judeans from the province of Asia who ought to be here to accuse me in your presence if they have any case against me.24:20Otherwise, let these people themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood in front of the Sanhedrin,24:21beyond this one thing I shouted while I stood among them: ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead for which you are judging me today’ .”
24:22Then Felix called to adjourn the court. He was well-informed of the details about the Way, and he added, “When Lysias the legion commander arrives, I will decide your case.”24:23He ordered the Roman army captain to put Paul under guard, but to allow him some comfort, including having his friends attend to his needs.
24:24A few days later Felix arrived, along with his wife Drusilla, who was a Judean. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about putting trust in Anointed Jesus.24:25But as he gave arguments about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became alarmed and said, “You may go now, and if I have time I will call for you.”24:26(He was hoping that Paul would bribe him, which is why he kept sending for him frequently and talking with him.)24:27Now when two full years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. But because he wanted to curry favor with the Judeans, he left Paul in custody.