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Acts / Paul's Defense before Governor Felix
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Paul's Defense before Governor Felix

Acts 24:1-27

24
Chapter 24
1 But after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain rhetorician, Tertullus. They appeared before the governor against Paul. 2 But when he had been called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, "Much peace obtaining through you and reforms happening to this nation through your providence," 3 In every way and everywhere we welcome you, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving. 4 But so that I might not further hinder you, I request that you hear us briefly in your gentleness. 5 for having found this man a plague and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 who also attempted to profane the Temple, whom we also seized, 8 from whom you will be able, yourself having examined him, to find out precisely the things of which we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also joined in affirming these things, saying these things. 10 And Paul answered, when the governor had nodded to him to speak: "Knowing that you have been for many years a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense concerning the things about myself." 11 you being able to know that not more than twelve days have passed for me since I went up to Jerusalem to worship, 12 And they did not find me either in the temple conversing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city. 13 Nor are they able to prove to you the things they now accuse me of. 14 But I confess this to you, that according to the way which they call a sect, in this way I worship the God of my ancestors, believing all the things written in the Law and the Prophets, 15 having hope toward God, which these very ones themselves await: a resurrection that is about to happen of both righteous ones and unrighteous ones; 16 In this I also practice myself to always have a blameless conscience toward God and humans. 17 But after several years I came to my nation to bring alms and offerings, 18 in which they found me purified in the temple, neither with a crowd nor with tumult. 19 but some Jews from Asia, who needed to be present before you and to accuse me if they had anything against me, 20 Or let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin. 21 the one about this cry that I made while standing among them: "It is with regard to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today." 22 But Felix adjourned them, knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way. He said, "When Lysias the chiliarch comes down, I will thoroughly examine the things concerning you." 23 He ordered the centurion to keep him and to have relief and to prevent no one of his own from serving him. 24 But after some days, Felix arrived with Drusilla his own wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he was speaking about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and replied, "Go away for now, but when I have a convenient time, I will send for you." 26 At the same time he was hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him more frequently and conversed with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wanting to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.