Acts 24 — GNB
24Verse 1And after five days Ananias, the high-priest, came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus; and they brought a complaint before the governor against Paul.Verse 2And when he had been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that improvements are in every way and everywhere taking place in this nation through thy foresight,Verse 3we accept it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.Verse 4But not to detain thee too long, I pray thee to hear us, in thy clemency, a few words.Verse 5For we have found this man to be a pest, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes;Verse 6who also attempted to profane the temple, and we apprehended him;Verse 7Verse 8and from him thou canst thyself ascertain by examination all these things of which we accuse him.Verse 9And the Jews also joined in the charges against him, affirming that these things were so.Verse 10Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Since I know that thou hast been for many years a judge for this nation, I answer for myself cheerfully;Verse 11for it is in thy power to ascertain that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.Verse 12And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any one, or stirring up a tumult of the people, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;Verse 13nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.Verse 14But this I acknowledge to thee, that according to the way [[of belief]] which they call a sect, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and by the Prophets;Verse 15having a hope in God, which they themselves also entertain, that there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous.Verse 16On this ground do I also myself strive to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.Verse 17And after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and to make offerings;Verse 18in doing which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor with tumult; but certain Jews from Asia [[caused it]],Verse 19who ought to be here before thee, and make their charge, if they had aught against me.Verse 20Or, let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the council,Verse 21except in relation to this one expression, which I uttered aloud while standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am tried before you this day.Verse 22But Felix, having an accurate knowledge of the matters relating to this way [[of belief]], put them off, and said, When Lysias the chief captain cometh down, I will thoroughly examine your case.Verse 23He also gave orders to the centurion to guard him, and let him have indulgence, and not to forbid any of his friends to do him service.Verse 24And after some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.Verse 25And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed, and answered, Go thy way for the present; and when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.Verse 26He hoped also that money would be given him by Paul; on which account he sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him.Verse 27But after two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, left Paul bound.