1 F ive 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.

Cinco días más tarde el sumo sacerdote Ananías descendió a Cesarea con algunos ancianos y con un abogado llamado Tértulo; y presentaron al gobernador sus cargos contra Pablo.

2 T hey 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.

Después que llamaron a Pablo, Tértulo comenzó a acusarlo, diciendo al gobernador: “Ya que por usted hemos obtenido mucha paz, y que por providencia suya se están llevando a cabo reformas en favor de esta nación,

3 I n every way and in every place, we thank you for all of this.

nosotros, por todos los medios y en todas partes, reconocemos esto con profunda gratitud, oh excelentísimo Félix.

4 W e 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.

“Pero para no molestarle más, le suplico que, con su habitual bondad, nos conceda una breve audiencia.

5 W e 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.

Pues hemos descubierto que este hombre es verdaderamente una plaga, y que provoca disensiones entre todos los Judíos por el mundo entero, y es líder de la secta de los Nazarenos.

6 H e 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.

Hasta trató de profanar el templo. Entonces lo arrestamos y quisimos juzgarlo conforme a nuestra Ley.

7 B ut Lysias, the captain, came and took him out of our hands.

“Pero interviniendo el comandante Lisias, con gran violencia lo quitó de nuestras manos,

8 H e 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.”

mandando a sus acusadores que vinieran a usted. Si usted mismo lo interroga sobre todo lo que he dicho, podrá confirmar las cosas de que lo acusamos.”

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

Los Judíos se unieron también a la acusación, asegurando que, efectivamente, así era todo. Defensa de Pablo

10 T hen 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.

Después que el gobernador le hizo una señal para que hablara, Pablo respondió: “Sabiendo que por muchos años usted ha sido juez de esta nación, con gusto presento mi defensa,

11 N ot more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can find out about this yourself.

puesto que usted puede comprobar el hecho de que no hace más de doce días que subí a Jerusalén a adorar.

12 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.

Y ni en el templo, ni en las sinagogas, ni en la ciudad misma me encontraron discutiendo con nadie o provocando un tumulto.

13 T hey cannot prove any of these things they say against me.

Ni tampoco pueden probar de lo que ahora me acusan.

14 “ 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.

“Pero esto admito ante usted, que según el Camino que ellos llaman secta, yo sirvo al Dios de nuestros padres (antepasados), creyendo todo lo que es conforme a la Ley y lo que está escrito en los Profetas;

15 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.

teniendo la misma esperanza en Dios que éstos también abrigan, de que ciertamente habrá una resurrección tanto de los justos como de los impíos.

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

Por esto, yo también me esfuerzo por conservar siempre una conciencia irreprensible delante de Dios y delante de los hombres.

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

“Después de varios años, he venido para traer limosnas a mi nación y a presentar ofrendas.

18 S ome 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.

En esto estaba cuando me encontraron en el templo, después de haberme purificado, no con multitud ni con alboroto. Pero estaban allí ciertos Judíos de Asia (provincia occidental de Asia Menor),

19 T hey should be here if they have anything against me.

y que deberían haberse presentado aquí ante usted y acusar me si tuvieran algo contra mí.

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

“O si no, que éstos mismos digan qué delito encontraron cuando comparecí ante el Concilio (Sanedrín),

21 u nless 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

a no ser por esta sola declaración que hice en voz alta mientras estaba entre ellos: ‘Por la resurrección de los muertos soy juzgado hoy ante ustedes.’”

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

Entonces Félix, que conocía con bastante exactitud acerca del Camino, dejó el fallo para después, diciendo: “Cuando venga el comandante Lisias decidiré el caso de ustedes.”

23 H e 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

Y dio órdenes al centurión de que tuviera a Pablo bajo custodia, pero con alguna medida de libertad, y que no impidiera a ninguno de sus amigos que lo sirvieran. Pablo Preso por Dos Años en Cesarea

24 S ome 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.

Pero pocos días más tarde, llegó Félix con Drusila su mujer, que era Judía, y mandó traer a Pablo y lo oyó hablar acerca de la fe en Cristo Jesús.

25 P aul 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.”

Al disertar Pablo sobre la justicia, el dominio propio y el juicio venidero, Félix, atemorizado dijo: “Vete por ahora, pero cuando tenga tiempo te mandaré llamar.”

26 H e 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.

Al mismo tiempo, tenía esperanza de que Pablo le diera dinero. Por eso acostumbraba llamarlo con frecuencia y conversar con él.

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

Pero transcurridos dos años, Porcio Festo llegó como sucesor de Félix, y deseando hacer un favor a los Judíos, Félix dejó preso a Pablo.