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 después, descendió el sumo sacerdote Ananías con algunos de los ancianos y un cierto orador llamado Tértulo, y comparecieron ante el 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.

Cuando éste fue llamado, Tértulo comenzó a acusarlo, diciendo: —Como debido a ti gozamos de gran paz, y muchas cosas son bien gobernadas en el pueblo por tu prudencia,

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

excelentísimo Félix, lo recibimos en todo tiempo y en todo lugar con toda gratitud.

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 por no molestarte más largamente, te ruego que nos oigas brevemente conforme a 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.

Hemos hallado que este hombre es una plaga, promotor de sediciones entre todos los judíos por todo el mundo, y cabecilla 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.

Intentó también profanar el Templo, así que lo prendimos 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 ti. Tú mismo, pues, al juzgarlo, podrás informarte de todas estas 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 también confirmaban, diciendo ser así todo.

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.

Habiéndole hecho señal el gobernador a Pablo para que hablara, éste respondió: —Porque sé que desde hace muchos años eres juez de esta nación, con buen ánimo haré mi defensa.

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

Como tú puedes cerciorarte, no hace más de doce días que subí a adorar a Jerusalén;

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 no me hallaron discutiendo con nadie, ni amotinando a la multitud, ni en el Templo ni en las 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.

Pero esto te confieso: que, según el Camino que ellos llaman herejía, así sirvo al Dios de mis padres; creo 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.

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

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

Por esto procuro tener siempre una conciencia sin ofensa ante Dios y ante los hombres.

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

»Pero pasados algunos años, vine a hacer limosnas a mi nación y 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.

Estaba en ello, cuando unos judíos de Asia me hallaron purificado en el Templo, no con multitud ni con alboroto.

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

Ellos debieran comparecer ante ti y acusarme, si contra mí tienen 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 comparecí ante 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

a no ser que estando entre ellos prorrumpí en alta voz: “Acerca de la resurrección de los muertos soy juzgado hoy por 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.”

Al oír esto, Félix, como estaba bien informado de este Camino, los relegó, diciendo: —Cuando descienda el comandante Lisias, acabaré de conocer de vuestro asunto.

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 se custodiara a Pablo, pero que se le concediera alguna libertad, y que no impidiera a ninguno de los suyos servirlo o venir a 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.

Algunos días después, viniendo Félix con Drusila, su mujer, que era judía, llamó a Pablo y lo oyó acerca de la fe 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.”

Pero al disertar Pablo acerca de la justicia, del dominio propio y del juicio venidero, Félix se espantó y dijo: —Ahora vete, y cuando tenga oportunidad, te llamaré.

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.

Esperaba también con esto que Pablo le diera dinero para que lo soltara, por lo cual muchas veces lo hacía venir y 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.

Pero al cabo de dos años recibió Félix por sucesor a Porcio Festo; y queriendo Félix congraciarse con los judíos, dejó preso a Pablo.