1Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and an advocate named Tertullus, and they presented their case against Paul to the governor.
2When Paul was summoned, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Since we enjoy great peace through you, and since reforms are being made for this nation through your foresight,
3in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4But so that I may not weary you any further, I ask you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
5For we have found this man to be a plague, stirring up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6He even tried to profane the temple, and so we seized him.
8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him about all these things of which we accuse him.”
9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
10And Paul replied, after the governor had nodded for him to speak: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.
11You can ascertain that it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
12And they did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd, neither in the synagogues nor throughout the city.
13Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
14But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything that is written in the Law and in the Prophets,
15having a hope in God, which these men themselves also await, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16Because of this, I myself always strive to have a clear conscience before God and men.
17Now after several years, I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
18While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, having been purified, not with a crowd or a disturbance.
19But it was some Jews from Asia—who ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they had anything against me.
20Or let these men here say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21unless it was for this one statement that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today!’”
22But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the proceedings, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to give him some liberty and not to prevent any of his own people from attending to his needs.
24Now after some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus.
25And as Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and answered, “Go away for the present. When I find an opportunity, I will send for you.”
26At the same time he was hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. Therefore he sent for him rather frequently and conversed with him.
27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in bonds.
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