1 A fter five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.

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 W hen he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,

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 w e accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

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

4 B ut, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

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 F or we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

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 H e even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.

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

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

8 B y examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

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 T he Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

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

10 W hen the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

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 s eeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

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

12 I n the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

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 N or can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

They cannot prove any of these things they say against me.

14 B ut this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

“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 h aving hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

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 H erein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

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

17 N ow after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

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

18 a mid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

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 T hey ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

They should be here if they have anything against me.

20 O r else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

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

21 u nless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

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 B ut Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”

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

23 H e ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

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 B ut after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

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 A s he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

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 M eanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

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 B ut when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

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.