Acts 24
24
Paul Presents His Case to Felix
1Five days later the chief priest Ananias went to the city of Caesarea with some leaders of the people and an attorney named Tertullus. They reported to the governor their charges against Paul.
2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to Felix, “Your Excellency, through your wise leadership we have lasting peace and reforms that benefit the people. 3We appreciate what you’ve done in every way and in every place, and we want to thank you very much. 4I don’t want to keep you too long. Please listen to us. We will be brief. 5We have found this man to be a troublemaker. He starts quarrels among all Jews throughout the world. He’s a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. 6He also entered the temple courtyard in a way that violates our tradition. So we arrested him.#24:6 Some manuscripts and translations add verses 6b–8a: “We wanted to try him under our law. But the officer Lysias used force to take him from us. He ordered his accusers to come in front of you.” 8When you cross-examine him, you’ll be able to find out from him that our accusations are true.”
9The Jews supported Tertullus’ accusations and asserted that everything Tertullus said was true.
10The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul responded, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. So I’m pleased to present my case to you. 11You can verify for yourself that I went to Jerusalem to worship no more than twelve days ago. 12No one found me having a discussion with anyone in the temple courtyard or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues throughout the city. 13These people cannot even prove their accusations to you. 14But I’ll admit to you that I’m a follower of the way ⌞of Christ⌟, which they call a sect. This means that I serve our ancestors’ God and believe everything written in Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. 15I hope for the same thing my accusers do, that people with God’s approval and those without it will come back to life. 16With this belief I always do my best to have a clear conscience in the sight of God and people. 17After many years I have come back to my people and brought gifts for the poor and offerings ⌞for God⌟. 18My accusers found me in the temple courtyard doing these things after I had gone through the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. 19But some Jews from the province of Asia were there. They should be here in front of you to accuse me if they have anything against me. 20Otherwise, these men who are accusing me should tell what I was charged with when I stood in front of their council. 21They could accuse me of only one thing. As I stood among them, I shouted, ‘I’m being tried in front of you because ⌞I believe that⌟ the dead will come back to life.’ ”
22Felix knew the way ⌞of Christ⌟ rather well, so he adjourned the trial. He told them, “When the officer Lysias arrives, I’ll decide your case.” 23Felix ordered the sergeant to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and to let his friends take care of his needs.
24Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, “That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.” 26At the same time, Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money. For that reason, Felix would send for Paul rather often to have friendly conversations with him.
27Two years passed. Then Porcius Festus took Felix’s place. (Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.)
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Acts 24
24
Paul's Defense before Felix
1And after five days Anani´as the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertul´lus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2And when he was called forth, Tertul´lus began to accuse him, saying,
Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lys´i-as came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered,
Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. 17#Acts 21.17-28. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had aught against me. 20Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evildoing in me, while I stood before the council, 21#Acts 23.6. except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lys´i-as the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusil´la, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27But after two years Por´ci-us Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.