Atos 24

¹ After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.

² And when Paul was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to Felix: »Since through you we have enjoyed much peace, and since by your provision, reforms are introduced on behalf of this nation,

³ we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.

⁴ But, that I may not weary you further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

⁵ For we have found this man a pestilent fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

⁶ He even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

⁷

⁸ By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges of which we accuse him.«

⁹ The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

¹⁰ When the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: »Realizing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

¹¹ Since you can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

¹² They did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues, or in the city.

¹³ Neither can they prove to you the charges they are now making against me.

¹⁴ But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do worship the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

¹⁵ having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there will certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

¹⁶ And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and men.

¹⁷ Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

¹⁸ As I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia—

¹⁹ who ought to be here before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.

²⁰ Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Council,

²¹ except this one thing which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘With respect to the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’«

²² But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, »When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.«

²³ Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody but have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to his needs.

²⁴ But some days later Felix came with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

²⁵ But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, »Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.«

²⁶ At the same time, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

²⁷ But when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.