1 A nd after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Five days later Ananias came to the city of Caesarea. He was the head religious leader. Some other religious leaders and a man whose name was Tertullus came also. This man worked in courts and knew all about the laws. He told Felix what the Jews had against Paul.

2 A nd when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

They brought in Paul. Then Tertullus started to tell what the Jews had against him, saying, “Most respected Felix, because of you, we are living in peace. Wrong-doings have been made right in this nation.

3 W e accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

In every way and in every place, we thank you for all of this.

4 N otwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

We do not want to keep you here too long. I ask you to listen to our few words. You are known to be kind in this way.

5 F or we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

We have found this man to be a trouble-maker among all the Jews in the world. He is a leader of a religious group called the Nazarenes.

6 W ho also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

He even tried to make the house of God unclean by taking people into it who were not Jews. But we took hold of him. (We could have said he was guilty by our Law.

7 B ut the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

But Lysias, the captain, came and took him out of our hands.

8 C ommanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

He told those who wanted to kill him to tell you what they had against him.) When you ask him about these things, you will be able to learn everything we have against him.”

9 A nd the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

The Jews agreed to what he said against Paul. Paul Speaks for Himself the First Time

10 T hen Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

Then Felix, the leader of the people, told Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know that you have been a leader of this nation for many years. I am happy to be able to speak for myself.

11 B ecause that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

Not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can find out about this yourself.

12 A nd they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

I did not argue with anyone in the house of God or in the Jewish places of worship or in the city. I was not making trouble.

13 N either can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

They cannot prove any of these things they say against me.

14 B ut this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

“I will say this, I worship the God of our fathers in the new Way. They say it is a false way. But I believe everything that has been written in the Law and by the early preachers.

15 A nd have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

I trust God for the same things they are looking for. I am looking for the dead to rise, both those right with God and the sinful.

16 A nd herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

I always try to live so my own heart tells me I am not guilty before God or man.

17 N ow after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

“After a few years I came to bring gifts of money to the people of my country (Jerusalem).

18 W hereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

Some Jews from the countries of Asia found me in the house of God after I had gone through the worship of washing. There were no people around me and there was no noise or fighting.

19 W ho ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

They should be here if they have anything against me.

20 O r else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

Or let these men tell what wrong they found in me as I stood in front of their court,

21 E xcept it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

unless it was the words I cried out as I stood in front of them. I said, ‘I have been brought in front of this court because of the hope of being raised from the dead.’” Felix Waits for Lysias to Come

22 A nd when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

Felix knew about the Christian religion. He stopped the court, saying, “When Lysias the captain comes down, I will decide about this.”

23 A nd he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

He told the soldier to watch Paul, but to let him come and go as much as he wanted to. Paul’s friends were to be able to come and care for him. Paul Speaks for Himself the Second Time

24 A nd after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Some days later Felix came again. His Jewish wife Drusilla was with him. He sent for Paul and heard him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 A nd as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Paul spoke about being right with God. He spoke about being the boss over our own desires. He spoke about standing before One Who will tell us if we are guilty. When Felix heard this, he became afraid and said, “Go now. I will send for you when it is a better time.”

26 H e hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

He was hoping that Paul would give him money so he could go free. For that reason he kept sending for Paul and talking to him.

27 B ut after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

After two years Porcius Festus became leader of the people instead of Felix. Felix wanted to please the Jews so he kept Paul in prison.