24:1 After five days the high priest Ananias 1 came down with some elders and an attorney 2 named 3 Tertullus, and they 4 brought formal charges 5 against Paul to the governor. 24:2 When Paul 6 had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, 7 saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time 8 of peace through your rule, 9 and reforms 10 are being made in this nation 11 through your foresight. 12 24:3 Most excellent Felix, 13 we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way 14 with all gratitude. 15 24:4 But so that I may not delay 16 you any further, I beg 17 you to hear us briefly 18 with your customary graciousness. 19 24:5 For we have found 20 this man to be a troublemaker, 21 one who stirs up riots 22 among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader 23 of the sect of the Nazarenes. 24 24:6 He 25 even tried to desecrate 26 the temple, so we arrested 27 him. 24:7 [[EMPTY]] 28 24:8 When you examine 29 him yourself, you will be able to learn from him 30 about all these things we are accusing him of doing.” 31 24:9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, 32 claiming 33 that these things were true.
24:10 When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know 34 that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. 35 24:11 As you can verify 36 for yourself, not more than twelve days ago 37 I went up to Jerusalem 38 to worship. 24:12 They did not find me arguing 39 with anyone or stirring up a crowd 40 in the temple courts 41 or in the synagogues 42 or throughout the city, 43 24:13 nor can they prove 44 to you the things 45 they are accusing me of doing. 46 24:14 But I confess this to you, that I worship 47 the God of our ancestors 48 according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law 49 and that is written in the prophets. 24:15 I have 50 a hope in God (a hope 51 that 52 these men 53 themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 54 24:16 This is the reason 55 I do my best to always 56 have a clear 57 conscience toward God and toward people. 58 24:17 After several years 59 I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor 60 and to present offerings, 61