Acts 24:1-15 ▼

1 AND after five days An-a-ni’as the high priest went down with the elders, together with Ter-tul’lus, the orator, and they informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called forth, Ter-tul’lus began to accuse him, saying, It is through you that we enjoy great tranquility, and owing to your care many excellent things have been done for this people.

3 And we all, everywhere, receive your favors, O most excellent Fe’lix.

4 But while I desire not to weary you with lengthy discussions, nevertheless, I beg you to hear in brief our humble complaint.

5 We have found this man to be a pestilent fellow and a worker of sedition among the Jews throughout the world, for he is the ringleader of the sect of the Naz’a-renes.

6 He sought to defile our temple: therefore when we seized him, we would have judged him according to our law.

7 But the chief captain Lys’ias came, and by force took him away out of our hands and sent him to you,

8 Then he commanded his accusers to come to you. Now when you question him, you can learn for yourself concerning all these things of which we accuse him.

9 The Jews also witnessed against him, declaring that these things were true.

10 Then the governor beckoned to Paul to speak. Paul answered and said, For in as much as I know that you have been a judge for many years to this people, therefore I do the more cheerfully answer in my own defense:

11 So that you may understand, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, nor have I had an assembly either in their synagogues or in the city:

13 Nor can they prove before you the things of which they accuse me.

14 But this I confess, that in that very teaching which they mention, I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And I have the same hope in God which they themselves hold, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.