Acts 24:5-27

New American Standard Bible

⁵ For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout ^[a]the world, and a ringleader of the ^(A)sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ And he even tried to ^(B)desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him.^{[b] 8} By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.” ^9 (C)The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

¹⁰ And when ^(D)the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, ¹¹ since you can take note of the fact that no more than ^(E)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ^12 (F)And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or ^(G)causing ^[c]a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself. ^13 (H)Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you, that in accordance with ^[d](I)the Way, which they call a ^(J)sect, I do serve ^(K)the God of our fathers, ^(L)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; ¹⁵ having a hope in God, which ^(M)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ In view of this ^(N)I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. ¹⁷ Now ^(O)after several years I ^(P)came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, ¹⁸ in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been ^(Q)purified, without any ^(R)crowd or uproar. But there were some ^(S)Jews from ^[e]Asia— ¹⁹ who ought to have been present before you and to have been ^(T)bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before ^(U)the ^[f]Council, ²¹ other than in regard to this one declaration which ^(V)I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”

²² But Felix, ^[g]having quite accurate knowledge about ^[h](W)the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He gave orders to the centurion for ^[i]Paul to be ^(X)kept in custody and yet ^(Y)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of ^(Z)his friends from providing for his needs.

²⁴ Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his ^[j]wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about ^(AA)faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ But as he was discussing ^(AB)righteousness, ^(AC)self-control, and ^(AD)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that ^(AE)money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him. ²⁷ But after two years had passed, Felix ^[k]was succeeded by Porcius ^(AF)Festus; and Felix, ^(AG)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul ^(AH)imprisoned.