Acts 24:1-27 ICB

[1] Five days later Ananias, the high priest, went to the city of Caesarea. With him were some of the Jewish elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They had come to make charges against Paul before the governor. [2] Paul was called into the meeting, and Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Most Excellent Felix! Our people enjoy much peace because of you, and many wrong things in our country are being made right through your wise help. [3] We accept these things always and in every place. And we are thankful for them. [4] But I do not want to take any more of your time. I beg you to be kind and listen to our few words. [5] This man is a troublemaker. He makes trouble among the Jews everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group. [6] Also, he was trying to make the Temple unclean, but we stopped him. [And we wanted to judge him by our own law. [7] But the officer Lysias came and used much force to take him from us. And Lysias commanded his people to come to you to accuse us.] [8] You can decide if all these things are true. Ask him some questions yourself." [9] The other Jews agreed and said that all of this was true. [10] The governor made a sign for Paul to speak. So Paul said, "Governor Felix, I know that you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you. [11] I went to worship in Jerusalem only 12 days ago. You can learn for yourself that this is true. [12] Those who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple. I was not stirring up the people. And I was not making trouble in the Temple or in the synagogues or in the city. [13] They cannot prove the things they are saying against me now. [14] But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way of Jesus. The Jews say that the Way of Jesus is not the right way. But I believe everything that is taught in the law of Moses and that is written in the books of the Prophets. [15] I have the same hope in God that they have-the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death. [16] This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and men. [17] "I was away from Jerusalem for several years. I went back there to bring money to my people and to offer sacrifices. [18] I was doing this when they found me in the Temple. I had finished the cleansing ceremony. I had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me. [19] But some Jews from Asia were there. They should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, they are the ones who should accuse me. [20] Or ask these Jews here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the Jewish council in Jerusalem. [21] But I did say one thing when I stood before them: 'You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from death!'" [22] Felix already understood much about the Way of Jesus. He stopped the trial and said, "When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide about your case." [23] Felix told the officer to keep Paul guarded. But he told the officer to give Paul some freedom and to let his friends bring what he needed. [24] After some days Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was a Jew. He asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus. [25] But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about things like right living, self-control, and the time when God will judge the world. He said, "Go away now. When I have more time, I will call for you." [26] At the same time Felix hoped that Paul would give him some money. So he sent for Paul often and talked with him. [27] But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. Felix was no longer governor, but he had left Paul in prison to please the Jews.