1 AFTER five days the High Priest Ananias came down with certain elders and an advocate named Tertullus, and they spoke against Paul to the Governor.
2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Because we enjoy great peace through your administration and reforms are taking place for this nation through your prudence,
3 we accept it always and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.
4 But not to burden you further, I beg you in your fairness to hear us briefly.
5 We have found this man a pest and an inciter of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to desecrate the Temple courts, but we overpowered him.
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8 You yourself can examine him and learn from him as to all these things of which we are accusing him."
9 The Jews joined in the attack upon him, affirming that these things were so.
10 Paul answered, when the Governor nodded to him to speak, "Because I know that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I feel courage in defending myself.
11 You can ascertain that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 Neither did they find me discussing with any one in the Temple courts nor making any tumultuous gatherings in the synagogues nor anywhere in the city,
13 nor can they bring you proofs of their accusations against me.
14 "This I do confess to you, that in the Way which they call a heresy I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are according to the Law and what is written in the Prophets
15 and having the hope in God which they themselves also accept \'97 that there will be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust.
16 And in this I take pains, to have always a clear conscience toward God and toward men.
17 "After many years I came to my nation to make gifts of charity and offerings.
18 They found me in the Temple thus occupied and purified, with no crowd or noise \'97 but there were some Jews from Asia,
19 who ought to have been here before you to present their accusations if they had anything against me,
20 or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Council;
21 unless it was in the single assertion that I shouted as I stood among them, 'It is regarding the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial to-day before you!' "
22 Felix adjourned the case, since he was well informed regarding the Way, saying, "When Lysias the Tribune comes down, I will inquire into your matters."
23 He gave orders to the Centurion to guard him, but to let him have indulgence, and not to hinder any of his friends from attending to his wants.
24 After some days Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him regarding faith in Christ Jesus.
25 While Paul was reasoning about righteousness and self-discipline and the judgment that is to come, Felix became alarmed and said," Go for the present. When I find a convenient time I will send for you."
26 At the same time he was in hopes that money would be given him by Paul and therefore he used to send for him more frequently and converse with him.
27 But at the end of two years Felix received Porcius Festus as a successor, and, wishing to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in chains.