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ACTS 24 1
Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a
certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against
Paul. 2 And when he
was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that
through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this
nation by your foresight, 3
we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all
thankfulness. 4
Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by
your courtesy, a few words from us. 5
For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the
Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane
the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander Lysias
came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers
to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things
of which we accuse him.” 9
And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after the
governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you
have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully
answer for myself, 11
because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went
up to Jerusalem to worship. 12
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting
the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove the
things of which they now accuse me. 14
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect,
so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written
in the Law and in the Prophets. 15
I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 This being so, I myself
always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years I
came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 in the midst of which
some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor
with tumult. 19 They
ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against
me. 20 Or else let
those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I
stood before the council, 21
unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them,
‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’
” 22 But when Felix
heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned
the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make
a decision on your case.” 23
So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and
told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days,
when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and
heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to
come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a
convenient time I will call for you.” 26
Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might
release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years
Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor,
left Paul bound.
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