24:1 After five days the high priest Ananias¹ came down with some elders and an attorney² named³ Tertullus, and they⁴ brought formal charges⁵ against Paul to the governor. 24:2 When Paul⁶ had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,⁷ saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time⁸ of peace through your rule,⁹ and reforms¹⁰ are being made in this nation¹¹ through your foresight.¹² 24:3 Most excellent Felix,¹³ we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way¹⁴ with all gratitude.¹⁵ 24:4 But so that I may not delay¹⁶ you any further, I beg¹⁷ you to hear us briefly¹⁸ with your customary graciousness.¹⁹ 24:5 For we have found²⁰ this man to be a troublemaker,²¹ one who stirs up riots²² among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader²³ of the sect of the Nazarenes.²⁴ 24:6 He²⁵ even tried to desecrate²⁶ the temple, so we arrested²⁷ him.²⁸ 24:8 When you examine²⁹ him yourself, you will be able to learn from him³⁰ about all these things we are accusing him of doing.”³¹ 24:9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack,³² claiming³³ that these things were true.

24:10 When the governor gestured³⁴ for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know³⁵ that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.³⁶ 24:11 As you can verify³⁷ for yourself, not more than twelve days ago³⁸ I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 24:12 They did not find me arguing³⁹ with anyone or stirring up a crowd⁴⁰ in the temple courts⁴¹ or in the synagogues or throughout the city,⁴² 24:13 nor can they prove⁴³ to you the things⁴⁴ they are accusing me of doing.⁴⁵ 24:14 But I confess this to you, that I worship⁴⁶ the God of our ancestors⁴⁷ according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law⁴⁸ and that is written in the prophets. 24:15 I have⁴⁹ a hope in God (a hope⁵⁰ that⁵¹ these men⁵² themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.⁵³ 24:16 This is the reason⁵⁴ I do my best to always⁵⁵ have a clear⁵⁶ conscience toward God and toward people.⁵⁷ 24:17 After several years⁵⁸ I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor⁵⁹ and to present offerings,⁶⁰ 24:18 which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified,⁶¹ without a crowd or a disturbance.⁶² 24:19 But there are some Jews from Asia⁶³ who should be here before you and bring charges,⁶⁴ if they have anything against me. 24:20 Or these men here⁶⁵ should tell what crime⁶⁶ they found me guilty of⁶⁷ when I stood before the council,⁶⁸ 24:21 other than⁶⁹ this one thing⁷⁰ I shouted out while I stood before⁷¹ them: ‘I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”⁷²

24:22 Then Felix,⁷³ who understood the facts⁷⁴ concerning the Way⁷⁵ more accurately,⁷⁶ adjourned their hearing,⁷⁷ saying, “When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case.”⁷⁸ 24:23 He ordered the centurion⁷⁹ to guard Paul,⁸⁰ but to let him have some freedom,⁸¹ and not to prevent any of his friends⁸² from meeting his needs.⁸³

24:24 Some days later, when Felix⁸⁴ arrived with his wife Drusilla,⁸⁵ who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak⁸⁶ about faith in Christ Jesus.⁸⁷ 24:25 While Paul⁸⁸ was discussing⁸⁹ righteousness, self-control,⁹⁰ and the coming judgment, Felix⁹¹ became⁹² frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity,⁹³ I will send for you.” 24:26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money,⁹⁴ and for this reason he sent for Paul⁹⁵ as often as possible⁹⁶ and talked⁹⁷ with him. 24:27 After two years⁹⁸ had passed, Felix⁹⁹ was succeeded by¹⁰⁰ Porcius Festus,¹⁰¹ and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.¹⁰²