24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by thy providence,
24:3 We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
24:4 However, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I beseech thee that thou wouldest of thy clemency hear us a few words.
24:5 For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took [him] out of our hands,
24:8 Commanding his accusers to come to thee: by examining whom thou thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, of which we accuse him.
24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
24:10 Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
24:11 That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither provoking the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
24:13 Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
24:14 But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
24:16 And in this I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.
24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
24:18 Upon which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had any thing against me.
24:20 Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
24:21 Except it is for this one thing, that I cried standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will make a decision on your case.
24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come to him.
24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, selfcontrol, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him by Paul, that he might loose him: therefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came in place of Felix: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a favour, left Paul bound.