1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 5 For 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. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 7 8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

10 When 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, 11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12 In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to 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; 15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19 They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 21 unless 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!’"

22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case." 23 He 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.

24 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. 25 As 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." 26 Meanwhile, 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.

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

1 And after five days Ananias, the prince of the priests, descended with the elders and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great peace and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy prudence,

3 we accept [it] always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou would hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow] and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world and prince of the seditious sect of the Nazarenes,

6 who also has gone about to profane the temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law.

7 But the tribunal Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our hands,

8 commanding his accusers to come unto thee; by examining of whom thou may take knowledge of all these things, of which we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

10 Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself;

11 because thou art able to understand that there have been but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city,

13 neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call [a] sect, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets,

15 and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And for this reason do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and [toward] men.

17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings.

18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult,

19 who ought to have been here before thee and object if they had anything against me.

20 Or else let these same [here] say if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

21 except it be for this one voice, that I cried out standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead, I am called in question by you this day.

22 And when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, saying, I shall have more information regarding [that] way, when Lysias the tribunal shall come down, [Then] I will know the uttermost of your matter.

23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his own to minister or come unto him.

24 And after certain days when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard of him the faith which is in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go away for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 He hoped also that money should have been given him from Paul, that he might loose him; therefore he sent for him many times and communed with him.

27 But after two years Felix received Porcius Festus as successor; and Felix, wanting to win the grace of the Jews, left Paul bound.: