Acts 24 - Easy To Read Version

¹ Five days later Ananias went to the city of Caesarea. Ananias was the high priest. {\cf2\super [462]} Ananias also brought some of the older Jewish leaders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They went to Caesarea to make charges against Paul before the governor.

² Paul was called into the meeting, and Tertullus began to make his charges.

³ We are very thankful to accept these things from you. We accept these things always and in every place.

⁴ But I don’t want to take any more of your time. So I will say only a few words. Please be patient.

^5-8 This man (Paul) is a troublemaker. He makes trouble with the Jews everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group.

⁹ The other Jews agreed. They said, “These things are really true!”

¹⁰ The governor made a sign for Paul to speak. So Paul answered, “Governor Felix, I know that you have been a judge over this nation (Israel) for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you.

¹¹ I went to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago. You can learn for yourself that this is true.

¹² These Jews who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. {\cf2\super [465]} I was not making trouble with the people. And I was not making trouble or arguing in the synagogues {\cf2\super [466]} or any other place in the city.

¹³ These Jews cannot prove the things they are saying against me now.

¹⁴ But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our fathers {\cf2\super [467]} 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 I believe everything that is written in the books of the prophets. {\cf2\super [468]}

¹⁵ I have the same hope in God that these Jews 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 many years. I went back there to bring money to my people and to give some offerings (gifts).

¹⁸ I was doing this when some Jews saw me at the temple. {\cf2\super [469]} I had finished the cleansing (washing) ceremony. {\cf2\super [470]} I had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me.

¹⁹ But some Jews from Asia {\cf2\super [471]} were there. They should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, those Jews from Asia are the ones who should accuse me. They were there!

²⁰ Ask these Jews here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the Jewish council meeting in Jerusalem.

²¹ I did say one thing when I stood before them: I said, ‘You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from death!’”

²² Felix already understood a lot about the Way \{of Jesus\}. He stopped the trial and said, “When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide about these things.”

²³ Felix told the army officer {\cf2\super [472]} to keep Paul guarded. But he told the officer to give Paul some freedom and to let Paul’s friends bring the things that Paul needed.

²⁴ After a few days Felix came with his wife, Drusilla. She was a Jew. Felix asked for Paul to be brought to him. Felix listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus.

²⁵ But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about things like living right, self-control, and the judgment that will come in the future. Felix said, “Go away now! When I have more time, I will call you.”

²⁶ But Felix had another reason for talking with Paul. Felix hoped that Paul would pay him a bribe. {\cf2\super [473]} So Felix sent for Paul often and talked with him.

²⁷ But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. So Felix was no longer governor. But Felix left Paul in prison, because Felix wanted to do something to please the Jews.