Acts 24

1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a trained advocate named Tertullus, and they laid out their case against Paul before the governor. 2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Thanks to you we live in great peace, and your careful planning has set many things right for this nation. 3Most excellent Felix, we welcome all this in every way and in every place, with heartfelt thanks. 4But I do not want to keep you long, so I ask you, in your fairness, to give us a brief hearing. 5This man, we have found, is a public menace. He causes unrest among the Jews in every part of the world, and he is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even attempted to defile the temple, and we took hold of him. 8Question him yourself, and you will learn from him all about the things we accuse him of.” 9The Jews who had come added their voices, claiming that it was all so.

10The governor signaled to Paul to speak, and he answered: “You have judged this nation for many years, and knowing that, I am glad to answer for myself before you. 11It is only twelve days, no more, since I went up to Jerusalem to worship, as you can find out. 12They never found me in the temple in debate with anyone or drawing a crowd together, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city. 13They have no proof to set before you for the things they now charge me with. 14This much I do acknowledge before you: it is as one who follows the Way, which they call a sect, that I serve the God of our ancestors. I believe all that accords with the law and all that stands written in the Prophets. 15My hope rests on God, and these men look for it too: that a resurrection is coming, of the righteous and the unrighteous alike. 16That is why I, for my part, take pains to live with a blameless conscience toward God and toward people at all times. 17I had been away for a number of years, and I came to bring charitable gifts to my people and to make offerings. 18I was doing this when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, with no crowd around me and no disorder. 19But some Jews from Asia were the ones who saw me. They should have come before you to accuse me, if they have any complaint against me. 20Otherwise, let the men who are here tell you what wrong they discovered in me when I stood before the council, 21unless it was the one sentence I called out as I stood among them: ‘I am being judged by you today over the resurrection of the dead.’”

22Felix knew a good deal about the Way, and he postponed the matter. He told them, “I will rule on your case once Lysias the tribune comes down.” 23He gave orders to the centurion: Paul was to stay in custody, but with some relief from strict confinement, and none of his own people were to be kept from helping him.

24A few days afterward Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife, a Jewish woman. He had Paul brought in and heard what he had to say about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control and the judgment that is coming, Felix became alarmed. “Leave me for now,” he answered. “I will call for you again when I find a suitable time.” 26At the same time he hoped for money from Paul, so he had him brought in quite often and talked with him.

27Two full years went by, and then Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Felix wished to earn the favor of the Jews, so he left Paul behind in chains.