Acts 24
24
1 Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul.
2 And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence,
3 we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything.
4 But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.
5 We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law.
7 But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands,
8 ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him."
9 And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so.
10 Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul.
11 For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12 And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.
13 And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me.
14 But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets,
15 having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust.
16 And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offence toward God and toward men.
17 Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows,
18 through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion.
19 But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.
20 Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council.
21 For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you."
22 Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, "When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing."
23 And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him.
24 Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
25 And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: "For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you."
26 He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him.
27 Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.
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Acts 24: CPDV
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Acts 24
24
1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul; 2and when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your provision, most excellent Felix, reforms are introduced on behalf of this nation, 3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 7#24.7 Other ancient authorities add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come before you. 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all this was so.
10And when the governor had motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Realizing that for many years you have been judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11As you may ascertain, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem; 12and they did not find me disputing with any one or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues, or in the city. 13Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets, 15having a hope in God which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men. 17Now after some years I came to bring to my nation alms and offerings. 18As I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21except this one thing which I cried out while standing among them, ‘With respect to the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you this day.’ ”
22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but should have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak upon faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he argued about justice and self-control and future judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity I will summon you.” 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America