Paul before Felix

24 Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus [acting as spokesman and counsel]. They presented to the 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, most 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 ^[a]instigates dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heretical] ^[b]sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ He even tried to desecrate the temple, but we took him into custody ^[c][and 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 The Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.

¹⁰ When the 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 twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² Neither 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 causing a crowd to gather. ¹³ Nor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you, that according to ^[d]the Way, which they call a [divisive and heretical] sect, I do worship and serve the God of our fathers, [confidently] believing 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 these 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, I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men. ¹⁷ Now after several years I came [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] purification, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor], ¹⁹ who ought to have been here before you to present 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 the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), ²¹ other than for this one statement which I 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 the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ Then he ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to let him have some freedom, and [he told the centurion] not to stop any of his friends from providing for his needs.

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife ^[e]Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the 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 money 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 ^[f]Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.