1 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.

Five 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.

2 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,

And 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,

3 S iempre y en todo lugar lo recibimos con todo hacimiento de gracias, oh excelentísimo Félix.

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

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

But 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.

5 P orque 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:

For 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.

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

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

7 M as interviniendo el tribuno Lisias, con grande violencia le quitó de nuestras manos,

But the commandant Lysias came and took him from us with violence and force,

8 M andando á sus acusadores que viniesen á ti; del cual tú mismo juzgando, podrás entender todas estas cosas de que le acusamos.

And 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.

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

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

10 E ntonces 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.

And 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.

11 P orque tú puedes entender que no hace más de doce días que subí á adorar á Jerusalem;

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

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

And 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.

13 N i te pueden probar las cosas de que ahora me acusan.

Neither can they present argument or evidence to prove to you what they now bring against me.

14 E sto 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;

But 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;

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

Having 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).

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

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

17 M as pasados muchos años, vine á hacer limosnas á mi nación, y ofrendas,

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

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

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

19 L os cuales debieron comparecer delante de ti, y acusarme, si contra mí tenían algo.

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

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

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

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

Unless 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!

22 E ntonces 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.

But 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.

23 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.

Then 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.

24 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.

Some 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.

25 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:

But 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.

26 E sperando 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.

At 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.

27 M as 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.

But 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.