Acts 24

1Five days later, Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. He brought some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus with him, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.

2When Paul was called in, Tertullus began his case: We have enjoyed a long time of peace because of you. Your wise planning has brought good changes to this nation.

3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we accept this with deep thanks.

4But so that I do not take up too much of your time, I ask that you be kind enough to listen to us for just a little while.

5We have found this man to be a troublemaker. He stirs up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a leader of the group called the Nazarenes,

6And he even tried to make the temple unholy. So we grabbed him.

7But the commander Lysias came and took him away from us by force,

8He ordered those accusing Paul to come to you. If you question Paul yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.

9The other Jews joined in and said that these things were true.

10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: I know that you have been a judge over this nation for a number of years. So I am glad to explain myself.

11You can easily check that it was no more than twelve days ago that I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.

13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.

14But I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a false group. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

15And I have the same hope in God that these men have: that the people who did right and the people who did wrong will both rise from the dead.

16So I always work hard to keep my conscience clear before God and people.

17After being away for several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring gifts for the poor among my people, and to offer sacrifices.

18I had gone through the cleansing ceremony when they found me doing this in the temple courts. There was no crowd with me, and I was not causing any trouble.

19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.

20Or let these men who are here say what crime they found in me when I stood before the council,

21Unless it was this one thing I shouted while standing among them: I am on trial before you today because I believe the dead will rise.

22Felix knew a lot about the Way, so he stopped the hearing there. He said: When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.

23He ordered the army officer to keep Paul under guard, but to give him some freedom. He also let Paul's friends come and take care of his needs.

24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

25As Paul talked about living right, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and said: That is enough for now! You may leave. When it is a good time, I will send for you.

26At the same time, Felix was hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for Paul often and talked with him.

27When two years had passed, Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. But because Felix wanted to please the Jews, he left Paul in prison.