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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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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The Acts 24
24
1And after five days came down the high priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator called Tertullus, and laid their informations against Paul before the governor. 2And he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, Seeing we enjoy great peace through thee, and that excellent measures are executed for this nation by thy forethought, 3we receive it always and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4But that I may not too much intrude on thy time, I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness. 5For finding this man a pest, and moving sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazaraeans; 6who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also had seized, and would have judged according to our law; 7but Lysias, the chiliarch, coming up, took him away with great force out of our hands, 8having commanded his accusers to come to thee; of whom thou canst thyself, in examining him, know the certainty of all these things of which we accuse him. 9And the Jews also joined in pressing the matter against Paul, saying that these things were so.
10But Paul, the governor having beckoned to him to speak, answered, Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge to this nation, I answer readily as to the things which concern myself. 11As thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem, 12and neither in the temple did they find me discoursing to any one, or making any tumultuous gathering together of the crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13neither can they make good the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I avow to thee, that in the way which they call sect, so I serve my fathers' God, believing all things which are written throughout the law, and in the prophets; 15having hope towards God, which they themselves also receive, that there is to be a resurrection both of just and unjust. 16For this cause I also exercise myself to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men. 17And after a lapse of many years I arrived, bringing alms to my nation, and offerings. 18Whereupon they found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. But it was certain Jews from Asia, 19who ought to appear before thee and accuse, if they have anything against me; 20or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council, 21other than concerning this one voice which I cried standing amongst them: I am judged this day by you touching the resurrection of the dead.
22And Felix, knowing accurately the things concerning the way, adjourned them, saying, When Lysias the chiliarch is come down I will determine your affair; 23ordering the centurion to keep him, and that he should have freedom, and to hinder none of his friends to minister to him. 24And after certain days, Felix having arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix, being filled with fear, answered, Go for the present, and when I get an opportunity I will send for thee; 26hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him. 27But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their favour, left Paul bound.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.