Acts 24:10-27

English Standard Version

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 ^(A)it is not more than twelve days since I ^(B)went up ^(C)to worship in Jerusalem, ¹² and ^(D)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 (E)Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. ¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that according to ^(F)the Way, which they call ^(G)a sect, ^(H)I worship ^(I)the God of our fathers, believing everything ^(J)laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, ^15 (K)having ^(L)a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be ^(M)a resurrection ^(N)of both the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ So I always ^(O)take pains to have a ^(P)clear conscience toward both God and man. ¹⁷ Now ^(Q)after several years ^(R)I came to bring alms to ^(S)my nation and to present ^(T)offerings. ¹⁸ While I was doing this, they found me ^(U)purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But ^(V)some Jews from Asia— ^19 (W)they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, ²¹ other than this one thing ^(X)that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

Paul Kept in Custody

²² But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of ^(Y)the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ Then he gave orders to the centurion that he ^(Z)should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that ^(AA)none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

²⁴ After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about ^(AB)faith ^(AC)in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And as he reasoned ^(AD)about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. ^(AE)When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he hoped ^(AF)that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. ²⁷ When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius ^(AG)Festus. And ^(AH)desiring to do the Jews a favor, ^(AI)Felix left Paul in prison.