Acts 24

Paul Before Felix

1 Five days later, the high priest Ananias rolled up with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They brought their case against Paul to Governor Felix.

2 Tertullus started talking: “Most excellent Felix, we have enjoyed peace and improvements in the nation because of your wisdom and leadership.

3 We are grateful, no doubt about it.

4 But we will not waste your time. Please hear us out briefly.”

5 “We found this man, Paul, to be a straight-up troublemaker. He is stirring up riots among Jews all over the world and leading some crazy sect called the Nazarenes.

6 He even tried to disrespect the temple, so we grabbed him.

7 (But then your commander Lysias came through with soldiers and snatched him up.)

8 Ask him yourself, and you will see all these charges are true.”

9 The Jews backed Tertullus up, saying, “Facts!”

10 When Felix nodded to Paul, Paul said, “Listen, I know you have been judging this nation for years, so I am glad to defend myself.

11 You can check the records, only 12 days ago, I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 They did not catch me arguing in the temple, stirring up crowds in synagogues, or wilding out in the streets.

13 They cannot prove any of the stuff they are accusing me of.

14 But let me be real: I follow the Way they call a sect. I worship the God of our ancestors and believe everything written in the Law and the Prophets.

15 I have hope, just like they do, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

16 So I keep my conscience clear before God and people.

17 After being away for a while, I came to Jerusalem with gifts for the poor and offerings.

18 That is when they found me in the temple. I was purified, not causing drama, and there was not even a crowd.

19 But some Jews from Asia started all this beef. They should be here to accuse me if they have a real case.

20 Or ask the people here what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before their council.

21 The only thing I said that caused drama was this: ‘I am on trial before you all because I believe in the resurrection of the dead.’”

22 Felix, who knew about the Way, postponed the case. He said, “When Commander Lysias gets here, I will decide.”

23 He ordered Paul to be guarded but allowed some freedom and let his friends take care of his needs.

24 A few days later, Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 When Paul started talking about righteousness, self-control, and judgment, Felix got shook and said, “That is enough for now. I will call you when I feel like it.”

26 Felix was hoping Paul would bribe him, so he kept sending for him and talking to him.

27 After two years, Felix got replaced by Porcius Festus. But since Felix wanted to stay cool with the Jews, he left Paul locked up.