Open English Translation ACTs Chapter 24

24 Five days later, Ananias the chief priest arrived along with some elders and an attorney named Tertullos, to bring the charges against Paul before Governor Felix. 2 Once he was called to speak, Tertullos began his accusation of Paul:

“We have seen peace under your rule and the helpful reforms that this nation has experienced through your provision, 3 most excellent Felix, and we gratefully welcome everything you’ve done and everywhere you’ve done it. 4 But in order not to oblige you longer than necessary, in your gentleness we request you to listen to our brief statement. 5 This man here has been found to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews throughout the inhabited world, and as a ring-leader of the Nazarite sect 6 he even attempted to profane the temple where we were able to arrest him. 7 ◘ 8 When you examine him yourself you’ll discover all these things that we’re accusing him of.” 9 The Jews who had come also affirmed all the accusations.

10 So the governor nodded for Paul to speak and he started,

“I happily defend myself today knowing that you have many years of experience ruling in this region. 11 You can quickly establish that it was less than twelve days ago that I arrived in Yerusalem to worship there. 12 They never found me in the temple arguing with anyone or stirring up the crowd, and nor was I doing that in the Jewish meeting halls or anywhere in the city 13 and so they can’t provide evidence to you to support any of their accusations. 14 However, I must confess that I follow ‘The Path’ that they call a sect which serves the God of our ancestors and believes everything in Moses’ law as well as the writings of the prophets. 15 We put our trust in the same God that they themselves follow, and we all anticipate a resurrection of those who serve God and those who don’t. 16 Because of this, I also strive to maintain a clean conscience in everything, before God and the people.

17 After several years away, I arrived in Yerusalem bringing offerings to help my own people and before God. 18 That was when they found me in the temple after going through the purification ceremony, and without either a crowd or a commotion around me. 19 But there were some Jews from the province of Asia Minor who are the ones who should be appearing here before you, and they should be the ones accusing me if they could find anything against me. 20 Even these ones here now should explain what their council found me guilty of, 21 other than my calling out that I was being judged because I believe in the resurrection of the dead.

22 But Felix who was already familiar with followers of ‘The Path’, announced that the trial would be adjourned until Commander Lysias arrived when he would investigate further. 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul confined, but under relaxed conditions and allowing any of his friends to bring him anything he needed.

24 However, several days later Felix returned there, this time with his wife Drusilla who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him explain about faith in the messiah. 25 But when the subject turned to righteousness and self-control and the coming judgement, Felix became very uncomfortable and told him, “That’s enough for now. If I have time in the future, I’ll send for you.” 26 However he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, so he often sent for him and spoke with him.

27 This went on for two years, until Felix was replaced as governor by Porcius Festus, but wanting to stay in the good books of the Jews, Felix left Paul confined.