Book of Common Prayer

Paul is accused before Felix. He answers for himself.

24 After five days, Ananias, the high priest, descended with elders and with a certain orator named Tertullus, and made representations to the governor concerning Paul. ² When Paul was called forth, Tertullus began the case against him, saying,

Seeing that we live in great quietness owing to you, and that many good things are done for this nation through your prudent government, ³ we receive and acknowledge it ever and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thanks. ⁴ But in order that I not be tedious to you, I pray that you would kindly hear a few words from us.

⁵ We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of conflict among all the Jews throughout the world, and a maintainer of the sect of the Nazarites, ⁶ who has also taken in hand to profane the temple. We took him, and would have judged him according to our law, ⁷ but the high captain Lysias came upon us, and with great force took him away out of our hands, ⁸ commanding his accusers to come to you. You may, if you wish to enquire, ascertain from him the facts concerning all these things of which we accuse him.

⁹ The Jews maintained likewise, saying that it was even so.

¹⁰ Then Paul (after the governor himself had indicated to him that he should speak) answered, I shall with a more quiet mind answer for myself, ¹¹ since I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this people, in order that you may know that it is yet only twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to pray, ¹² and they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone, nor inciting the people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove the things they accuse me of.

¹⁴ But this I confess to you: that in accordance with the Way, which they call heresy, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the law and the prophets. ¹⁵ And I have hope in God that the same resurrection of the dead that they themselves look for also will come, both of the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ And therefore I strive to have a clear conscience toward God, and toward man also.

¹⁷ But after many years I came, bringing alms and offerings to my people, ¹⁸ in the course of which they found me purified in the temple, neither with a lot of people, nor making a disturbance. However, there were certain Jews out of Asia, ¹⁹ who ought to be here present before you and accuse me if they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men here say if they have found any wrongdoing in me, while I stand here in the council – ²¹ unless it be for this one statement that I made standing among them: It is concerning the resurrection from death that I am on trial before you this day.

²² When Felix heard these things, he adjourned the hearing – for he knew very well of that Way – and said, When Lysias the captain arrives, I will hear the last of your matters. ²³ And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and that he should have rest, and not to forbid any of his friends to minister to him or come to him.

²⁸ And there came one of the scribes who had heard them disputing together. He perceived that Jesus had answered them well, and asked him, Which is the first of all the commandments?

²⁹ Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord God is one Lord. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. ³¹ And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

³² And the scribe said to him, Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth: that there is one God, and that there is none but he. ³³ And to love him with all the heart, and with all the mind, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is a greater thing than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

³⁴ And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God.

And after that, no one dared ask him any question.