^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.