Accused Before Felix
A hired orator calls Paul a plague and a ringleader. Paul answers that no one can prove a thing, and that he is really on trial over the resurrection. Felix stalls, grows frightened when the talk turns to judgment, and keeps him two years hoping for a bribe.
24 1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer, Tertullus, and they brought charges against Paul before the governor. 2When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began his accusation: "Through you we enjoy great peace, and reforms have come to this nation through your foresight, 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4But so as not to detain you any further, I ask you to hear us kindly, in a few words. 5We found this man a plague, stirring up riots among all the Jews worldwide, and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we seized him. a a v6 The earliest manuscripts do not have a verse 7 here; later copies add: "But the commander Lysias came and with great force took him out of our hands," 8By examining him yourself, you can learn all we accuse him of."
9The Jews also joined in the attack, insisting that these things were so.
10The governor motioned him to speak. Paul answered: "Knowing you've judged this nation for many years, I gladly defend myself. 11You can confirm it's no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12They found me arguing with no one, stirring up no crowd—not in the temple, the synagogues, or anywhere in the city. 13Nor can they prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. 14But I confess to you: following the Way—they call it a sect—I worship the God of our ancestors, believing all that agrees with the Law and is written in the Prophets. 15I have hope in our Father—one these men also hold—that the righteous and unrighteous alike will rise. 16So I always strive to keep my conscience clear before our Father and before people. 17After several years I came to bring charitable gifts for my nation's poor, and offerings. 18Amid this, they found me purified in the temple—no crowd, no uproar. 19Some Jews from Asia should be here before you to accuse, if they have anything against me. 20Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21except this one thing I shouted standing among them: 'It's over the resurrection of the dead that I'm on trial before you today.'"
22Felix, who knew the Way fairly well, adjourned the hearing: "When Lysias the commander arrives, I will decide your case." 23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul but allow him some freedom, not stopping any of his friends from serving him.
24Some days later, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, a Jew, sent for Paul, and heard him about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix grew frightened and said, "That's enough for now; go. When I find time, I'll call for you." 26He also hoped Paul would give him money, so he sent for him often and talked with him.
27After two years, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Wanting to please the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
