1 C inco días después llegó el sumo sacerdote Ananías con algunos de los ancianos y un orador llamado Tértulo, y se presentaron ante el gobernador para acusar a 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 C uando llamaron a Pablo, Tértulo comenzó su acusación de la siguiente manera: «Excelentísimo Félix, gracias a ti gozamos de paz, y por tu prudencia y buen gobierno el pueblo tiene muchas cosas buenas.

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 E sto lo percibimos en muchos lugares, y estamos muy agradecidos.

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

4 C omo no queremos molestarte más, te ruego que nos oigas un momento, y que juzgues conforme a 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 N os hemos dado cuenta de que este hombre es una plaga; por dondequiera que va promueve la sedición entre los judíos, y además encabeza 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 ¡ Lo más grave es que intentó profanar nuestro templo! Por eso lo aprehendimos, para juzgarlo conforme a 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 p ero intervino el tribuno Lisias, y con lujo de violencia nos lo arrebató de las manos.

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

8 C omo nosotros somos la parte acusadora, nos mandó comparecer ante ti. Cuando lo juzgues, tú mismo podrás darte cuenta de que nuestras acusaciones son ciertas.»

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 L os judíos confirmaron esto al afirmar la veracidad de las acusaciones.

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

10 E l gobernador hizo entonces a Pablo una señal para que hablara, y éste dijo: «Yo sé que llevas muchos años impartiendo justicia en esta nación, así que con mucho gusto me defenderé.

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 C omo podrás comprobar, no hace más de doce días que fui a adorar a Jerusalén.

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

12 N adie me vio discutir con ninguno, ni sublevar a la multitud en el templo, ni en las 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 L as cosas por las que me acusan no te las pueden probar.

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

14 S in embargo, una cosa debo confesar, y es que sirvo al Dios de mis padres de acuerdo con el Camino que ellos llaman herejía. Yo creo en todo lo que está escrito en la ley y en los profetas,

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 y tengo, como ellos, la misma esperanza en Dios de que habrán de resucitar los justos y los injustos.

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 o siempre me esfuerzo por mantener una conciencia limpia que no ofenda a Dios ni a 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 D espués de algunos años fui a mi pueblo para llevar limosnas y presentar ofrendas.

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

18 Y o me estaba purificando en el templo cuando me encontraron allí, pero ni había mucha gente ni yo estaba alborotando a nadie.

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 que me vieron eran unos judíos de la provincia de Asia. De haber tenido ellos algo contra mí, debieron haber venido a verte personalmente para acusarme.

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

20 D e lo contrario, que digan los aquí presentes si cuando me presenté en el concilio me vieron cometer algún delito.

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

21 L o que yo dije en su presencia, y lo dije a voz en cuello, fue: “Ustedes me están juzgando por causa de la resurrección de los muertos.”»

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 C omo Félix estaba bien informado de este Camino, cuando oyó esto aplazó el juicio, y dijo: «Cuando venga el tribuno Lisias, me gustaría conocer más de este asunto.»

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 L uego, mandó al centurión que custodiara a Pablo, pero que le diera cierta libertad y permitiera que los suyos le sirvieran.

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 U nos días después, Félix llegó con Drusila, su mujer, que era judía: Mandó llamar a Pablo y quiso oír acerca de la fe 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 P ero cuando Pablo le habló acerca de la justicia, del dominio propio y del juicio venidero, Félix se espantó y le dijo: «Por ahora, puedes retirarte. En su momento volveré a llamarte.»

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 Y es que, además, Félix esperaba que Pablo le ofreciera dinero para soltarlo; por eso muchas veces lo llamaba para hablar 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 D os años después, Porcio Festo llegó para suceder a Félix, y como quería quedar bien con los judíos, dejó preso a 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.