Acts 24

Felix Trembled and Said, Go Away for Now

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Paul Accused Before Felix

24:1After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate named Tertullus. They presented their case against Paul to the governor.

24:2When Paul was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Through you we enjoy much peace, and reforms are being made for this nation through your foresight.

24:3In every way and everywhere we acknowledge this, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.

24:4But so that I may not detain you further, I ask you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

24:5For we have found this man to be a plague, stirring up disturbances among all the Jews throughout the inhabited world, and a ringleader of the party of the Nazarenes.

24:6He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him.

24:8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn about all these things of which we accuse him.”

24:9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense Before Felix

24:10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul answered, “Knowing that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense concerning myself.

24:11You can ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

24:12They did not find me disputing with anyone or gathering a crowd, whether in the temple, in the synagogues, or in the city.

24:13Nor can they present proof to you of the things they now accuse me of.

24:14But I confess this to you: according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the ancestral God, believing everything according to the law and written in the prophets,

24:15having hope in God—which these people themselves also await—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

24:16For this reason I myself strive always to have a conscience without offense toward God and human beings.

24:17After several years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings.

24:18While I was engaged in these, they found me purified in the temple, with neither a crowd nor an uproar.

24:19But there were some Jews from Asia who ought to be present before you and bring charges, if they had anything against me.

24:20Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,

24:21except for this one declaration I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged before you today.’”

Felix Postpones Judgment

24:22Felix, who knew the matters concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their case, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”

24:23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but grant him some freedom, and not prevent any of his own people from attending to him.

Felix and Drusilla Hear Paul

24:24After some days Felix came with his own wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He summoned Paul and heard him concerning faith in Christ Jesus.

24:25As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and answered, “Go away for now. When I find an opportunity, I will summon you.”

24:26At the same time he hoped that Paul would give him money. Therefore he summoned him more frequently and conversed with him.

24:27When two years were completed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V2 · working draft awaiting specialist review.