The case before Felix
1 After five days Ananias the High Priest came down to Cae sa rea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. And they presented their case against Paul be fore the governor.
2 Paul was called in and Tertullus accused him in this way:
3 “Most Excellent Felix, thanks to you – your labors and your wise re forms – our people now enjoy great peace. We accept all this in every way and in every place, and we are totally grateful to you.
4 So as not to take more of your time, I beg you to listen briefly to us with your usual kindness.
5 We have found that this man is a pest, he creates division among the Jews throughout the world and is a leader of the Nazarene sect.
6 He even tried to profane the Temple, so we seized him. We would have judged him according to our law,
7 but Lysias the commandant intervened in a very violent way and took him from us.
8 Then he declared that his accusers must present them selves before you. By examining him yourself, you will learn from him about all that we accuse him of.”
9 The Jews confirmed this, firmly maintaining that all this was so.
10 Then the governor motioned to Paul who said:
“As I know that you have admin istered this nation for many years, I make my defense with much con fidence.
11 You yourself can ascertain that not more than twelve days ago I went up to Je ru salem to worship,
12 and that they did not find me disputing with anyone or inciting the peo ple, either in the Temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
13 So they cannot prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I admit before you, that I serve the God of our ances tors according to the Way that they call a sect. I believe every thing written in the Law and in the Prophets,
15 and I have the same hope in God that they have, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both the good and the sinners.
16 So I strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before peo ple.
17 After many years, I came to bring help to those of my nation and to offer sacrifices.
18 On that occasion, they found me in the Temple; I had been purified according to the Law and there was no crowd or commotion. Yet all began with some Jews from Asia
19 who ought to be here before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.
20 Let these men say what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it was for having declared in a loud voice when I was before them: ‘Today I am being judged on account of the resurrection of the dead.’”
22 Felix who was well-informed about the Way, postponed the case and said to them, “When the commandant, Lysias, comes down, I will examine the case thoroughly.”
23 So he ordered the captain to keep Paul under guard, giving him certain liberty and without preventing his friends from attending to him.
24 After some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew. He sent for Paul and let him speak about faith in Christ.
25 But when Paul spoke about justice, self-control and the future judgment, Felix was frightened and he said to him: “You may leave now; I shall send for you some other time.”
26 Felix was hoping that Paul would give him money, so he sent for him often and conversed with him.
27 Two years passed, and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Fes tus; and as Felix wanted to remain on good terms with the Jews, he left Paul in prison.