1 F ive days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain forensic advocate Tertullus. They presented to the governor their evidence against Paul.

Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 A nd when he was called, Tertullus began the complaint by saying: Since through you we obtain and enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight and provision wonderful reforms (amendments and improvements) are introduced and effected on behalf of this nation,

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 foresight,

3 I n every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we accept and acknowledge this with deep appreciation and with all gratitude.

we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 B ut not to hinder or detain you too long, I beg you in your clemency and courtesy and kindness to grant us a brief and concise hearing.

Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.

5 F or we have found this man a perfect pest (a real plague), an agitator and source of disturbance to all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the '> division-producing] sect of the Nazarenes.

For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6 H e also tried to desecrate and defile the temple, but we laid hands on him and would have sentenced him by our Law,

He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

7 B ut the commandant Lysias came and took him from us with violence and force,

But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,

8 A nd ordered his accusers to present themselves to you. By examining and cross-questioning him yourself, you will be able to ascertain the truth from him about all these things with which we charge him.

commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

9 T he Jews also agreed and joined in the accusation, declaring that all these things were exactly so.

And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. The Defense Before Felix

10 A nd when the governor had beckoned to Paul to speak, he answered: Because I know that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I find it easier to make my defense and do it cheerfully and with good courage.

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 answer for myself,

11 A s you can readily verify, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship;

because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 A nd neither in the temple nor in the synagogues nor in the city did they find me disputing with anybody or bringing together a seditious crowd.

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

13 N either can they present argument or evidence to prove to you what they now bring against me.

Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14 B ut this I confess to you, however, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I worship (serve) the God of our fathers, still persuaded of the truth of and believing in and placing full confidence in everything laid down in the Law or written in the prophets;

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

15 H aving hope in God which these themselves hold and look for, that there is to be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous (the just and the unjust).

I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

16 T herefore I always exercise and discipline myself to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 N ow after several years I came up to bring to my people contributions of charity and offerings.

“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

18 W hile I was engaged in presenting these, they found me in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. But some Jews from Asia,

in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.

19 W ho ought to be here before you and to present their charges, if they have anything against me.

They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.

20 O r else let these men themselves tell of what crime or wrongdoing they found me guilty when I appeared before the council (Sanhedrin),

Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,

21 U nless it be this one sentence which I cried out as I stood among them, In regard to the resurrection of the dead I am indicted and on trial before you this day!

unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’” Felix Procrastinates

22 B ut Felix, having a rather accurate understanding of the Way, put them off and adjourned the trial, saying, When Lysias the commandant comes down, I will determine your case more fully.

But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”

23 T hen he ordered the centurion to keep in custody, but to treat him with indulgence and not to hinder his friends from ministering to his needs and serving him.

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 S ome days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and listened to him about faith in Christ Jesus.

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 B ut as he continued to argue about uprightness, purity of life (the control of the passions), and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and terrified and said, Go away for the present; when I have a convenient opportunity, I will send for you.

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

26 A t the same time he hoped to get money from Paul, for which reason he continued to send for him and was in his company and conversed with him often.

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 B ut when two years had gone by, Felix was succeeded in office by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul still a prisoner in chains.

But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.