Acts 24:1-16 ▼

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.

2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,

3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.

4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.

5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.

7

8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,

12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.