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.

Y CINCO días después descendió el sumo sacerdote Ananías, con algunos de los ancianos, y un cierto Tértulo, orador; y parecieron delante del gobernador 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.

Y citado que fué, Tértulo comenzó á acusar, diciendo: Como por causa tuya vivamos en grande paz, y muchas cosas sean bien gobernadas en el pueblo por tu prudencia,

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

Siempre y en todo lugar lo recibimos con todo hacimiento de gracias, 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.

Empero por no molestarte más largamente, ruégote que nos oigas brevemente conforme á tu equidad.

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.

Porque hemos hallado que este hombre es pestilencial, y levantador de sediciones entre todos los Judíos por todo el mundo, y príncipe 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.

El cual también tentó á violar el templo; y prendiéndole, le quisimos juzgar conforme á nuestra ley:

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

Mas interviniendo el tribuno Lisias, con grande violencia le 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 á sus acusadores que viniesen á ti; del cual tú mismo juzgando, podrás entender todas estas cosas de que le acusamos.

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

Y contendían también los Judíos, diciendo ser así estas cosas.

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.

Entonces Pablo, haciéndole el gobernador señal que hablase, respondió: Porque sé que muchos años ha eres gobernador de esta nación, con buen ánimo satisfaré por mí.

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

Porque tú puedes entender que no hace más de doce días que subí á adorar á Jerusalem;

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 me hallaron en el templo disputando con ninguno, ni haciendo concurso de multitud, ni en sinagogas, ni en la ciudad;

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

Ni te pueden probar las cosas de 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.

Esto empero te confieso, que conforme á aquel Camino que llaman herejía, así sirvo al Dios de mis padres, creyendo todas las cosas que en la ley y en los profetas están escritas;

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 esperanza en Dios que ha de haber resurrección de los muertos, así de justos como de injustos, la cual también ellos esperan.

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

Y por esto, procuro yo tener siempre conciencia sin remordimiento acerca de Dios y acerca de los hombres.

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

Mas pasados muchos años, vine á hacer limosnas á mi nación, y 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.

Cuando me hallaron purificado en el templo (no con multitud ni con alboroto) unos Judíos de Asia;

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

Los cuales debieron comparecer delante de ti, y acusarme, si contra mí tenían algo.

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

O digan estos mismos si hallaron en mí alguna cosa mal hecha, cuando yo estuve en el concilio,

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

Si no sea que, estando entre ellos prorrumpí en alta voz: Acerca de la resurrección de los muertos soy hoy juzgado de vosotros.

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, oídas estas cosas, estando bien informado de esta secta, les puso dilación, diciendo: Cuando descendiere el tribuno Lisias acabaré de conocer de vuestro negocio.

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 mandó al centurión que Pablo fuese guardado, y aliviado de las prisiones; y que no vedase á ninguno de sus familiares servirle, ó venir á él.

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.

Y algunos días después, viniendo Félix con Drusila, su mujer, la cual era Judía, llamó á Pablo, y oyó de él la fe que es en Jesucristo.

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.”

Y disertando él de la justicia, y de la continencia, y del juicio venidero, espantado Félix, respondió: Ahora vete, mas en teniendo oportunidad te llmaré:

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.

Esperando también con esto, que de parte de Pablo le serían dados dineros, porque le soltase; por lo cual, haciéndole venir muchas veces, hablaba 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.

Mas al cabo de dos años recibió Félix por sucesor á Porcio Festo: y queriendo Félix ganar la gracia de los Judíos, dejó preso á Pablo.