Accused of Sedition

24 Now after (A)five days (B)Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and [a]prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your [b]courtesy, a few words from us. (C)For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. (D)He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, [c]and wanted (E)to judge him according to our law. (F)But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, (G)commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” And the Jews also [d]assented, maintaining that these things were so.

The Defense Before Felix

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem (H)to worship. 12 (I)And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to (J)the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the (K)God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in (L)the Law and in the Prophets. 15 (M)I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, (N)that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 (O)This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 “Now after many years (P)I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 (Q)in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me (R)purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 (S)They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, (T)‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Felix Procrastinates

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the (U)Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When (V)Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and (W)told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the (X)faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that (Y)money would be given him by Paul, [g]that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, (Z)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:2 Or reforms are
  2. Acts 24:4 graciousness
  3. Acts 24:6 NU ends the sentence here and omits the rest of v. 6, all of v. 7, and the first clause of v. 8.
  4. Acts 24:9 NU, M joined the attack
  5. Acts 24:15 NU omits of the dead
  6. Acts 24:20 NU, M what wrongdoing they found
  7. Acts 24:26 NU omits that he might release him

At Iconium

14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the (A)Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and [a]poisoned their [b]minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, (B)who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and (C)wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was (D)divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the (E)apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, (F)to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and (G)fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.

Idolatry at Lystra

(H)And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. [c]Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, (I)“Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, (J)“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called [d]Zeus, and Paul, [e]Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, (K)intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, (L)they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, (M)why are you doing these things? (N)We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from (O)these useless things (P)to the living God, (Q)who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 (R)who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 (S)Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, (T)gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with (U)food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

Stoning, Escape to Derbe

19 (V)Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, (W)they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be (X)dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Strengthening the Converts

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city (Y)and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, (Z)exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, (AA)“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had (AB)appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, (AC)they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had (AD)opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:2 embittered
  2. Acts 14:2 Lit. souls
  3. Acts 14:9 Lit. Who
  4. Acts 14:12 Jupiter
  5. Acts 14:12 Mercury

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