Acts 24
New International Version - Acts 24 << | >> 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728 24:1 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. 24:2 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. 24:3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 24:4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. 24:5 '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 24:6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 24:7 － 24:8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.' 24:9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. 24:10 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. 24:11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 24:12 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. 24:13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 24:14 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, 24:15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 24:17 'After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 24:18 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. 24:19 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. 24:20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- 24:21 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.'' 24:22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. 'When Lysias the commander comes,' he said, 'I will decide your case.' 24:23 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. 24:24 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. 24:25 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.' 24:26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 24:27 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.