Acts 24

Tertullus accuses Paul

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and [with ]an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. ²And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation, ³we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

⁴But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. ⁵For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: ⁶who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: ⁷from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

⁸And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so. ⁹And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do cheerfully make my defence:

Paul answers Felix

¹⁰seeing that thou canst take knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: ¹¹and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. ¹²Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

¹³But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets: ¹⁴having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. ¹⁵Herein do I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men alway.

¹⁶Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: ¹⁷amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were ]certain Jews from Asia— ¹⁸who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

¹⁹Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found, when I stood before the council, ²⁰except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day. ²¹But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.

Two years in custody

²²And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him. ²³But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁴And as he reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.

²⁵He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. ²⁶But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.