Acts 24:1-16 ▼

1 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor.

2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, |We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight.

3 Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude.

4 But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

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

6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.

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8 When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing.|

9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true.

10 When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, |Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.

11 As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city,

13 nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing.

14 But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets.

15 I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

16 This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.