Paul’s Defense before Felix

¹⁰ When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.^{(A) 11} You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.^{(B) 12} They didn’t find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.^{(C) 13} Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers’ God according to the Way,^(D) which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.^{(E) 15} And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection,^[a](F) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(G) 16} I always do my best to have a clear conscience^(H) toward God and men. ¹⁷ After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation,^{(I) 18} and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.^{(J) 19} It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. ²⁰ Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, ²¹ or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, ‘Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

The Verdict Postponed

²² Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way,^(K) he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered that the centurion keep Paul^[b] under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving^[c] him.^(L)