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 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.

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.

They 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.

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

In every way and in every place, we thank you for all of this.

4 C omo no queremos molestarte más, te ruego que nos oigas un momento, y que juzgues conforme a tu equidad.

We 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.

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.

We 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.

6 ¡ Lo más grave es que intentó profanar nuestro templo! Por eso lo aprehendimos, para juzgarlo conforme a nuestra ley,

He 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.

7 p ero intervino el tribuno Lisias, y con lujo de violencia nos lo arrebató de las manos.

But Lysias, the captain, came and took him out of our hands.

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.»

He 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.”

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

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

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.

Then 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.

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

Not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can find out about this yourself.

12 N adie me vio discutir con ninguno, ni sublevar a la multitud en el templo, ni en las sinagogas ni en la ciudad.

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.

13 L as cosas por las que me acusan no te las pueden probar.

They cannot prove any of these things they say 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,

“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.

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

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.

16 Y o siempre me esfuerzo por mantener una conciencia limpia que no ofenda a Dios ni a los hombres.

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

17 D espués de algunos años fui a mi pueblo para llevar limosnas y presentar ofrendas.

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

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

Some 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.

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.

They should be here 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 let these men tell what wrong they found in me as I stood in front of their court,

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 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

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.»

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

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

He 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

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 again. His Jewish wife Drusilla was with him. He sent for Paul and heard him talk 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.»

Paul 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.”

26 Y es que, además, Félix esperaba que Pablo le ofreciera dinero para soltarlo; por eso muchas veces lo llamaba para hablar con él.

He 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.

27 D os años después, Porcio Festo llegó para suceder a Félix, y como quería quedar bien con los judíos, dejó preso a Pablo.

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