Act24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with a certain attorney [named] Tertullus; and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.
Act24:2 And after [Paul] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying [to the governor], "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,
Act24:3 we acknowledge [this] in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
Act24:4 "But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.
Act24:5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Act24:6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [And we wanted to judge him according to our own Law.
Act24:7 "But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,
Act24:8 ordering his accusers to come before you]. And by examining him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him."
Act24:9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
Act24:10 And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,
Act24:11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
Act24:12 "And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city [itself] did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.
Act24:13 "Nor can they prove to you [the charges] of which they now accuse me.
Act24:14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets;
Act24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
Act24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience [both] before God and before men.
Act24:17 "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;
Act24:18 in which they found me [occupied] in the temple, having been purified, without [any] crowd or uproar. But [there were] certain Jews from Asia--
Act24:19 who ought to have been present before you, and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.
Act24:20 "Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,
Act24:21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'"
Act24:22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."
Act24:23 And he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and [yet] have [some] freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.
Act24:24 But some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him [speak] about faith in Christ Jesus.
Act24:25 And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you."
Act24:26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.
Act24:27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.