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[1]And after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These made declarations 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 prosperity is being brought to this nation by your providence,
[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 entreat you to hear, by your fairness, a few words from us.
[5]For we have found this man pestilent, a mover of insurrection among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
[6]He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and were determined to judge him according to our law.
[7]But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
[8]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 assented, alleging that these things were so.
[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 make my defense,
[11]because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to do homage.
[12]And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, neither in the synagogues nor throughout 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 the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
[15]I have hope in God, which they themselves also admit, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
[16]This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is blameless toward God and men.
[17]Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
[18]in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a crowd nor with tumult.
[19]They ought to have been here before you to accuse if they had anything against me.
[20]Or else let these themselves say 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 while standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.
[22]And when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he postponed judgment and said, When Lysias the commander comes down, I will examine your case.
[23]So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and 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 faith in Christ.
[25]Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self- control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and answered, Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.
[26]Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, 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, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
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