Acts 24
24
Paul’s Trial in Front of Felix
1Five days later Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus went with him. They brought their charges against Paul to the governor. 2So Paul was called in. Tertullus began to bring the charges against Paul. He said to Felix, “We have enjoyed a long time of peace while you have been ruling. You are a wise leader. You have made this a better nation. 3Most excellent Felix, we gladly admit this everywhere and in every way. And we are very thankful. 4I don’t want to bother you. But would you be kind enough to listen to us for a short time?
5“We have found that Paul is a troublemaker. This man stirs up trouble among Jews all over the world. He is a leader of those who follow Jesus of Nazareth. 6-7He even tried to make our temple impure. So we arrested him. 8Question him yourself. Then you will learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9The other Jews said the same thing. They agreed that the charges were true.
10The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for quite a few years. So I am glad to explain my actions to you. 11About 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can easily check on this. 12Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13They can’t prove to you any of the charges they are making against me. 14It is true that I worship the God of our people. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. Those bringing charges against me call it a cult. I believe everything that is in keeping with the Law. I believe everything that is in keeping with what is written in the Prophets. 15I have the same hope in God that these men themselves have. I believe that both the godly and the ungodly will rise from the dead. 16So I always try not to do anything wrong in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people.
17“I was away for several years. Then I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for those who were poor. I also came to offer sacrifices. 18They found me doing this in the temple courtyard. I had already been made pure and ‘clean’ in the usual way. There was no crowd with me. I didn’t stir up any trouble. 19But there are some other Jews who should be here in front of you. They are from Asia Minor. They should bring charges if they have anything against me. 20Let the Jews who are here tell you what crime I am guilty of. After all, I was put on trial by the Sanhedrin. 21Perhaps they blame me for what I said when I was on trial. I shouted, ‘I believe that people will rise from the dead. That is why I am on trial here today.’ ”
22Felix knew all about the Way of Jesus. So he put off the trial for the time being. “Lysias the commanding officer will come,” he said. “Then I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the commander to keep Paul under guard. He told him to give Paul some freedom. He also told him to allow Paul’s friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla. She was a Jew. Felix sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25Paul talked about how to live a godly life. He talked about how people should control themselves. He also talked about the time when God will judge everyone. Then Felix became afraid. “That’s enough for now!” he said. “You may leave. When I find the time, I will send for you.” 26He was hoping that Paul would offer him some money to let him go. So he often sent for Paul and talked with him.
27Two years passed. Porcius Festus took the place of Felix. But Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he left Paul in prison.
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Acts 24: NIrV
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Acts 24
24
The Case Against Paul
1Five days later the High Priest Ananias went to Caesarea with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They appeared before Felix and made their charges against Paul. 2Then Paul was called in, and Tertullus began to make his accusation, as follows:
“Your Excellency! Your wise leadership has brought us a long period of peace, and many necessary reforms are being made for the good of our country. 3We welcome this everywhere and at all times, and we are deeply grateful to you. 4I do not want to take up too much of your time, however, so I beg you to be kind and listen to our brief account. 5We found this man to be a dangerous nuisance; he starts riots among Jews all over the world and is a leader of the party of the Nazarenes. 6He also tried to defile the Temple, and we arrested him.#24.6 Some manuscripts add verses 6b–8a: We planned to judge him according to our own law, 7 but Lysias the commander came, and with great violence took him from us. 8 Then Lysias gave orders that his accusers should come before you. 8If you question this man, you yourself will be able to learn from him all the things that we are accusing him of.” 9The Jews joined in the accusation and said that all this was true.
Paul's Defence before Felix
10The governor then motioned to Paul to speak, and Paul said,
“I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, and so I am happy to defend myself before you. 11As you can find out for yourself, it was no more than twelve days ago that I went to Jerusalem to worship. 12The Jews did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor did they find me stirring up the people, either in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13Nor can they give you proof of the accusations they now bring against me. 14I do admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors by following that Way which they say is false. But I also believe in everything written in the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets. 15I have the same hope in God that these themselves have, namely, that all people, both the good and the bad, will rise from death. 16And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and human beings.
17 #
Acts 21.17–28
“After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I went there to take some money to my own people and to offer sacrifices. 18It was while I was doing this that they found me in the Temple after I had completed the ceremony of purification. There was no crowd with me and no disorder. 19But some Jews from the province of Asia were there; they themselves ought to come before you and make their accusations if they have anything against me. 20Or let these who are here tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the Council — 21#Acts 23.6except for the one thing I called out when I stood before them: ‘I am being tried by you today for believing that the dead will rise to life.’ ”
22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, brought the hearing to a close. “When Lysias the commander arrives,” he told them, “I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the officer in charge of Paul to keep him under guard, but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to provide for his needs.
Paul before Felix and Drusilla
24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he talked about faith in Christ Jesus. 25But as Paul went on discussing about goodness, self-control, and the coming Day of Judgement, Felix was afraid and said, “You may leave now. I will call you again when I get the chance.” 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would give him some money; and for this reason he would often send for him and talk with him.
27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor. Felix wanted to gain favour with the Jews so he left Paul in prison.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.