The Accusation against Paul

24 After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer^[a] named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.^{(A) 2} When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, ³ we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent^(B) Felix, with utmost gratitude. ⁴ However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. ⁵ For we have found this man to be a plague,^(C) an agitator^(D) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! ⁶ He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him [and wanted to judge him according to our law. ⁷ But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, ⁸ commanding his accusers to come to you.]^[b] By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of.” ⁹ The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so.