Acts 24:10-27

New King James Version

The Defense Before Felix

¹⁰ Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, ¹¹ because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem ^(A)to worship. ^12 (B)And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that according to ^(C)the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the ^(D)God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in ^(E)the Law and in the Prophets. ^15 (F)I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, ^(G)that there will be a resurrection ^[a]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. ^16 (H)This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

¹⁷ “Now after many years ^(I)I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, ^18 (J)in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me ^(K)purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. ^19 (L)They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let those who are here themselves say ^[b]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, ²¹ unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ^(M)‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Felix Procrastinates

²² But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the ^(N)Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When ^(O)Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” ²³ So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and ^(P)told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

²⁴ And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the ^(Q)faith in Christ. ²⁵ Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” ²⁶ Meanwhile he also hoped that ^(R)money would be given him by Paul, ^[c]that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

²⁷ But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, ^(S)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.