^aFive days later, the high priest ^bAnanias came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus acting as spokesman and counsel. They presented to ^cthe governor their formal charges against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began the complaint against him, saying to the governor:“Since through you we have attained great peace, and since by your foresight reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 in every way and in every place, ^amost excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4 But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a public menace and one who ¹instigates dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the heretical ^2asect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to ^adesecrate the temple, but we took him into custody [¹and we intended to judge him by our Law, 7 but Lysias the commander came, and with great force took him out of our hands, 8 and ordered his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to determine the truth about these things with which we charge him.” 9 ^aThe Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.

10 When ^athe governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered,“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I make my defense cheerfully and with good courage. 11 As you can easily verify, it has been no more than ^atwelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 ^aNeither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or ^bcausing a crowd to gather. 13 ^aNor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me. 14 But I confess this to you, that according to ^1athe Way, which they call a divisive and heretical ^bsect, I do worship and serve ^cthe God of our fathers, confidently ^dbelieving everything that is in accordance with the Law of Moses and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having the same hope in God which ^athese men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and of the wicked. 16 In view of this, ^aI also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men. 17 Now ^aafter several years I ^bcame to Jerusalem to bring to my people charitable contributions and offerings. 18 They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone the rites of ^apurification, without any ^bcrowd or uproar. But there were some ^cJews from the west coast province of Asia Minor, 19 who ought to have been here before you to ^apresent their charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before ^athe Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) , 21 other than for this one statement which ^aI had shouted out as I stood among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate understanding about ^athe Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he ordered the centurion to ^akeep Paul in custody, but to let him ^bhave some freedom, and he told the centurion not to stop any of ^chis friends from providing for his needs.

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife ¹Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about ^afaith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing ^arighteousness, ^bself-control honorable behavior, personal integrity, and ^cthe judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find a convenient time I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping to get ^amoney from Paul as a bribe; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded in office by ¹Porcius ^aFestus; and ^bwishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul ^cimprisoned.

Now after ^afive days the high priest ^bAnanias came down with some elders, ¹with an ²attorney named Tertullus, and they ³brought charges to ^cthe governor against Paul. 2 And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,“As we have attained much peace through you—and because by your provision reforms are being carried out for this nation— 3 we welcome this in every way and everywhere, ^amost excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I plead with you by your forbearance to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout ¹the world, and a ringleader of the ^asect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to ^adesecrate the temple; and ¹then we arrested him. ²[We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 ^aAnd the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 And when ^athe governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul answered:“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you are able to ascertain the fact that no more than ^atwelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 ^aAnd neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor across the city did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or ^bcausing ¹a riot. 13 ^aNor are they able to prove to you of what they are now accusing me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to ^athe Way, which they call a ^bsect, I do serve ^1cthe God of our fathers, ^dbelieving everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, for which ^athese men are waiting, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 In view of this, ^aI also ¹do my best to maintain always a conscience without fault both before God and before men. 17 Now ^aafter several years I ^bcame to bring ¹alms to my nation and offerings; 18 in which they found me, having been ^apurified in the temple, without any ^bcrowd or uproar. But there were some ^cJews from ¹Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to ^amake accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I stood before ^athe Sanhedrin, 21 other than for this one statement which ^aI shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge about ^athe Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the ¹commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be ^akept in custody and yet ^bhave some rest, and not to prevent any of ^chis friends from ministering to him.

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his ¹wife who was a Jewess, and summoned Paul and heard him speak about ^afaith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing ^arighteousness, ^bself-control, and ^cthe judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you.” 26 At the same time, he was also hoping that ^amoney would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix ¹was succeeded by Porcius ^aFestus, and ^bwishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul ^cimprisoned.

After ^afive days the high priest ^bAnanias came down with some elders, ¹with an ²attorney named Tertullus, and they ³brought charges to ^cthe governor against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, ^amost excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you ¹to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout ¹the world, and a ringleader of the ^asect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to ^adesecrate the temple; and ¹then we arrested him. ²[We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 ^aThe Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 When ^athe governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than ^atwelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 ^aNeither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or ^bcausing ¹a riot. 13 ^aNor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I admit to you, that according to ^athe Way which they call a ^bsect I do serve ^1cthe God of our fathers, ^dbelieving everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which ^athese men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this, ^aI also ¹do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17 Now ^aafter several years I ^bcame to bring ¹alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been ^apurified, without any ^bcrowd or uproar. But there were some ^cJews from ¹Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to ^amake accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before ^athe ¹Council, 21 other than for this one statement which ^aI shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, ¹having a more exact knowledge about ^athe Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the ²commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be ^akept in custody and yet ^bhave some freedom, and not to prevent any of ^chis friends from ministering to him.

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his ¹wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about ^afaith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing ^arighteousness, ^bself-control and ^cthe judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that ^amoney would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix ¹was succeeded by Porcius ^aFestus, and ^bwishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul ^cimprisoned.