Acts 24:1-15 ▼

1 Five days after this, Ananias the High Priest came down to Caesarea with a number of Elders and a pleader called Tertullus. They stated to the Governor the case against Paul.

2 So Paul was sent for, and Tertullus began to impeach him as follows: "Indebted as we are," he said, "to you, most noble Felix, for the perfect peace which we enjoy, and for reforms which your wisdom has introduced to this nation,

3 in every instance and in every place we accept them with profound gratitude.

4 But--not to detain you too long--I beg you in your forbearance to listen to a brief statement from us.

5 For we have found this man Paul a source of mischief and a disturber of the peace among all the Jews throughout the Empire, and a ringleader in the heresy of the Nazarenes.

6 He even attempted to profane the Temple, but we arrested him.

7

8 You, however, by examining him, will yourself be able to learn the truth as to all this which we allege against him."

9 The Jews also joined in the charge, maintaining that these were facts.

10 Then, at a sign from the Governor, Paul answered, "Knowing, Sir, that for many years you have administered justice to this nation, I cheerfully make my defence.

11 For you have it in your power to ascertain that it is not more than twelve days ago that I went up to worship in Jerusalem;

12 and that neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city, did they find me disputing with any opponent or collecting a crowd about me.

13 Nor can they prove the charges which they are now bringing against me.

14 But this I confess to you--that in the way which they style a heresy, I worship the God of our forefathers, believing everything that is taught in the Law or is written in the Prophets,

15 and having a hope directed towards God, which my accusers themselves also entertain, that before long there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous.