Acts 24

1. Then after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus, who made a presentation to the governor against Paul.

2. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, “Since we have obtained great peace through you, and excellent things have been done for this nation through your forethought,

3. Both in every way and everywhere, we gladly accept it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4. But that I may not further trouble you, I beseech you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

5. For we have found this man to be a pest, and a mover of insurrection among the Jews in the whole world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazareans;

6. Who also attempted to profane the temple, and whom also we seized, desiring to judge him according to our laws;

7. But Lysias, the chief captain, came and took him with great force from our hands.

8. And he has commanded his accusers to come to you, from whom you yourself will be able, after examining him, to know all those things of which we accuse him.”

9. Then the Jews also concurred, saying that these things were so.

10. And when the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul answered, “Knowing that you have been a judge to this nation for many years, I do more cheerfully make defense for myself concerning these things.

11. So that you may understand, it was not more than twelve days ago that I went up to worship in Jerusalem;

12. And neither did anyone find me disputing with anyone in the temple, nor inciting a tumult among the people—neither in the synagogues, nor in the city;

13. Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14. But I confess to you that according to the way which they call heresy, so I serve the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets;

15. Having hope in God, which they themselves also acknowledge, that there will be a resurrection of the dead—both the just and the unjust.

16. And in this hope, I exercise myself to have a conscience without offense toward God and men continually.

17. Now after many years, I arrived bringing to my nation my alms and offerings.

18. But there were certain Jews from Asia who found me purified in the temple—not with a multitude, nor with tumult.

19. If they have anything against me, it is obligatory for them to appear in person before you to accuse me.

20. Or let these who are here themselves speak, if they found any unrighteousness in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21. Other than this one saying that I cried out while standing among them: ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

22. And after hearing these things, Felix, having a more perfect knowledge of the things concerning the way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias, the chief captain, has come down, I will examine the things concerning you.”

23. And he ordered the centurion to keep Paul, to let him have liberty, and not to forbid those of his own to come to him or to minister to him.

24. Now after certain days, Felix appeared with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and listened to him speak about the faith in Christ.

25. And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became fearful and answered, “You may go now, and when I find an opportunity, I will call for you.”

26. Moreover, he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul, so that he might release him; for this reason, he sent for him and conversed with him more often.

27. But at the end of two years, Felix was succeeded as governor by Porcius Festus; and, desiring to gain favor for himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.