⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death,

¹¹ Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”^{(A) 12} They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. ¹³ They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law,^(B)

⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. ⁵⁶ For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree.

¹⁶ If a malicious witness comes forward to accuse someone of wrongdoing,^{(A) 17} then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days,^{(B) 18} and the judges shall make a thorough inquiry. If the witness is a false witness, having testified falsely against another, ¹⁹ then you shall do to the false witness just as the false witness had meant to do to the other. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.^{(C) 20} The rest shall hear and be afraid, and a crime such as this shall never again be committed among you. ²¹ Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.^(D)

Paul before Felix at Caesarea

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.^{(A) 2} When Paul^[a] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Because of you, most excellent Felix, we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. ³ In every way and everywhere we welcome this with utmost gratitude.^{(B) 4} But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. ⁵ We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.^{[b](C) 6} He even tried to profane the temple, so we seized him.^{[c](D) 8} By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.”

⁹ The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.^(E)

Paul’s Defense before Felix

¹⁰ When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:

“I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this people.^{(F) 11} As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.^{(G) 12} They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.^{(H) 13} Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.^(I)

²² But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,^[a] you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult^[b] a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell^[c] of fire.^(A)