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Acts 24
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
Acts 24
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
The Accusation against Paul
24 Five days later Ananias(A) the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.(B) 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, ‘We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. 3 We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent(C) Felix, with utmost gratitude. 4 But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague,(D) an agitator(E) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.(F) 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him.[a] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.’ 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.
Paul’s Defence before Felix
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, ‘Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defence in what concerns me.(G) 11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.(H) 12 They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.(I) 13 Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. 14 But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way,(J) which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.(K) 15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection,[b](L) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.(M) 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience(N) towards God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people.(O) 18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.(P) 19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, “Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.” ’
The Verdict Postponed
22 Since Felix was well informed about the Way,(Q) he adjourned the hearing, saying, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.’ 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting[c] his needs.(R)
24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come,(S) Felix became afraid and replied, ‘Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.’ 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money.[d] So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.
27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus(T) succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favour,(U) he left Paul in prison.(V)
Footnotes
- 24:6 Some mss include vv. 6b-8a: and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you.
- 24:15 Other mss add of the dead
- 24:23 Other mss add or visiting
- 24:26 Other mss add so that he might release him
Acts 24
New International Version
Acts 24
New International Version
Paul’s Trial Before Felix
24 Five days later the high priest Ananias(A) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges(B) against Paul before the governor.(C) 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent(D) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots(E) among the Jews(F) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene(G) sect(H) 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple;(I) so we seized him. [7] [a] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9 The other Jews joined in the accusation,(J) asserting that these things were true.
10 When the governor(K) motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days(L) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,(M) or stirring up a crowd(N) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.(O) 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors(P) as a follower of the Way,(Q) which they call a sect.(R) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,(S) 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection(T) of both the righteous and the wicked.(U) 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear(V) before God and man.
17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(W) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(X) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(Y) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(Z) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(AA) 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”(AB)
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(AC) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard(AD) but to give him some freedom(AE) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(AF)
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.(AG) 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control(AH) and the judgment(AI) to come, Felix was afraid(AJ) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,(AK) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,(AL) he left Paul in prison.(AM)
Footnotes
- Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.
Acts 24
Names of God Bible
Acts 24
Names of God Bible
Paul Presents His Case to Felix
24 Five days later the chief priest Ananias went to the city of Caesarea with some leaders of the people and an attorney named Tertullus. They reported to the governor their charges against Paul.
2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to Felix, “Your Excellency, through your wise leadership we have lasting peace and reforms that benefit the people. 3 We appreciate what you’ve done in every way and in every place, and we want to thank you very much. 4 I don’t want to keep you too long. Please listen to us. We will be brief. 5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker. He starts quarrels among all Jews throughout the world. He’s a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. 6 He also entered the temple courtyard in a way that violates our tradition. So we arrested him.[a] 8 When you cross-examine him, you’ll be able to find out from him that our accusations are true.”
9 The Jews supported Tertullus’ accusations and asserted that everything Tertullus said was true.
10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul responded, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. So I’m pleased to present my case to you. 11 You can verify for yourself that I went to Jerusalem to worship no more than twelve days ago. 12 No one found me having a discussion with anyone in the temple courtyard or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues throughout the city. 13 These people cannot even prove their accusations to you. 14 But I’ll admit to you that I’m a follower of the way of Christ, which they call a sect. This means that I serve our ancestors’ God and believe everything written in Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. 15 I hope for the same thing my accusers do, that people with God’s approval and those without it will come back to life. 16 With this belief I always do my best to have a clear conscience in the sight of God and people. 17 After many years I have come back to my people and brought gifts for the poor and offerings for God. 18 My accusers found me in the temple courtyard doing these things after I had gone through the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there. They should be here in front of you to accuse me if they have anything against me. 20 Otherwise, these men who are accusing me should tell what I was charged with when I stood in front of their council. 21 They could accuse me of only one thing. As I stood among them, I shouted, ‘I’m being tried in front of you because I believe that the dead will come back to life.’”
22 Felix knew the way of Christ rather well, so he adjourned the trial. He told them, “When the officer Lysias arrives, I’ll decide your case.” 23 Felix ordered the sergeant to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and to let his friends take care of his needs.
24 Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Yeshua. 25 As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, “That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.” 26 At the same time, Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money. For that reason, Felix would send for Paul rather often to have friendly conversations with him.
27 Two years passed. Then Porcius Festus took Felix’s place. (Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.)
Footnotes
- Acts 24:6 Some manuscripts and translations add verses 6b–8a: “We wanted to try him under our law. But the officer Lysias used force to take him from us. He ordered his accusers to come in front of you.”
Acts 24
New King James Version
Acts 24
New King James Version
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.
2 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, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your [b]courtesy, a few words from us. 5 (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. 6 (D)He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, [c]and wanted (E)to judge him according to our law. 7 (F)But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 (G)commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 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
- Acts 24:2 Or reforms are
- Acts 24:4 graciousness
- 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.
- Acts 24:9 NU, M joined the attack
- Acts 24:15 NU omits of the dead
- Acts 24:20 NU, M what wrongdoing they found
- Acts 24:26 NU omits that he might release him
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised (CSBA)
Copyright © 2024 by Holman Bible Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Names of God Bible (NOG)
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.