Acts 24 (NMV)
1 Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They presented their case against Paul to the governor.
2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace because of you, and your foresight has brought reforms to this nation.
3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
4 But in order not to burden you further, I beg you to grant us a brief hearing of your kindness.
5 We have found this man to be a public menace, stirring up riots among Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect known as the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.
7 [Some manuscripts add: and we wanted to judge him according to our law.]
8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."
9 The Jews also joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11 You can verify for yourself that it was no more than twelve days ago that I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 They did not find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city.
13 And they cannot prove the charges they now bring against me.
14 But I do admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and written in the Prophets.
15 I have a confident expectation in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16 Because of this, I always strive to maintain a clear conscience before God and people.
17 After several years, I came to bring charitable gifts to my people and to present offerings.
18 While I was doing this, they found me ritually purified in the temple, without any crowd or disturbance.
19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were the ones who ought to be here before you to bring charges if they had anything against me.
20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it was this one statement I shouted while standing among them: 'I am on trial before you today because of the confident expectation of the resurrection of the dead!'"
22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."
23 He ordered the centurion to guard Paul but allow him some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.
24 Several days later, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 But as Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "That's enough for now. You may leave. When I find time, I'll send for you again."
26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.