Accused Before Felix
24 1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer, Tertullus, who brought charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began his accusation: "Through you we enjoy great peace, and reforms have come to this nation through your foresight," 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But to be brief, I ask you to hear us kindly, in a few words. 5 We found this man a plague, stirring up riots among Jews worldwide, and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him. 7 a a v7 This verse is not in the earliest manuscripts; later copies add: “But the commander Lysias came and with great force took him out of our hands,” 8 By examining him yourself, you can learn all we accuse him of.
9 The Jews also joined in the attack, insisting that these things were so.
10 The governor motioned him to speak. Paul answered: "Knowing you've judged this nation for many years, I gladly defend myself." 11 You can confirm it's no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12 They found me arguing with no one, stirring up no crowd—not in the temple, the synagogues, or anywhere in the city. 13 Nor can they prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. 14 But I confess to you: following the Way—they call it a sect—I worship the Father of our ancestors, believing all that agrees with the Law and is written in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in our Father—one these men also hold—that the righteous and unrighteous alike will rise. 16 So I always strive to keep my conscience clear before our Father and before people. 17 After several years I came to bring charitable gifts for my nation's poor, and offerings. 18 Amid this, they found me purified in the temple—no crowd, no uproar. 19 Some Jews from Asia should be here before you to accuse, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 except this one thing I shouted standing among them: 'It's over the resurrection of the dead that I'm on trial before you today.'
22 Felix, who knew the Way fairly well, adjourned the hearing: "When Lysias the commander arrives, I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the centurion to guard Paul but allow him freedom, not stopping Paul's own people from serving him.
24 Some days later, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, a Jew, sent for Paul, and heard him about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix grew frightened and said, "That's enough for now; go. When I find time, I'll call for you." 26 He also hoped Paul would give him money, so he sent for him often and talked with him.
27 After two years, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Wanting to please the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
