Acts 24
The high priest Ananias and some elders, along with a speaker named Tertullus, accused Paul before Governor Felix, claiming he was a troublemaker who incited seditions among Jews and attempted to desecrate the temple. Paul defended himself, stating he had done nothing wrong and was being judged for his belief in the resurrection of the dead. Felix, familiar with Christianity, delayed judgment, ordering Paul to be kept under guard but allowed to receive visitors. Felix later had Paul speak to him and his wife about Christianity, but was more interested in receiving a bribe from Paul than in truly understanding the faith.
1Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul2And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence3we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything4But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly5We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes6And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law7But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands8ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him.9And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so10Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul11For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem12And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city13And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me14But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets15having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust16And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offense toward God and toward men17Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows18through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion19But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me20Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council21For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you.22Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, "When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing.23And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him24Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus25And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: "For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you.26He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him27Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner
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