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Paul before Felix

^1 (C1)Five days later, the high priest ^(C2)Ananias came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus acting as spokesman and counsel. They presented to ^(C3)the governor their formal charges against Paul.

² After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began the complaint against him, saying to the governor: "Since through you we have attained great peace, and since by your foresight reforms are being carried out for this nation,³ in every way and in every place, ^(C1)most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.⁴ "But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.⁵ "For we have found this man to be a public menace and one who ^(F1)instigates dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the heretical ^(F2)(C1)sect of the Nazarenes.⁶ "He even tried to ^(C1)desecrate the temple, but we took him into custody ^(F1)[and we intended to judge him by our Law,⁷ but Lysias the commander came, and with great force took him out of our hands,⁸ and ordered his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to determine the truth about these things with which we charge him."^9 (C1)The Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.

¹⁰ When ^(C1)the governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered, "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I make my defense cheerfully and with good courage.¹¹ As you can easily verify, it has been no more than ^(C1)twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.¹² "^(C1)Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or ^(C2)causing a crowd to gather.¹³ "^(C1)Nor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me.¹⁴ "But I confess this to you, that according to ^(F1)(C1)the Way, which they call a divisive and heretical ^(C2)sect, I do worship and serve ^(C3)the God of our fathers, confidently ^(C4)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law of Moses and that is written in the Prophets;¹⁵ having the same hope in God which ^(C1)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and of the wicked.¹⁶ "In view of this, ^(C1)I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men.¹⁷ "Now ^(C1)after several years I ^(C2)came to Jerusalem to bring to my people charitable contributions and offerings.¹⁸ "They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone the rites of ^(C1)purification, without any ^(C2)crowd or uproar. But there were some ^(C3)Jews from the west coast province of Asia Minor,¹⁹ who ought to have been here before you to ^(C1)present their charges, if they have anything against me.²⁰ "Or else let these men tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before ^(C1)the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court),²¹ other than for this one statement which ^(C1)I had shouted out as I stood among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'"

²² But Felix, having a rather accurate understanding about ^(C1)the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."²³ Then he ordered the centurion to ^(C1)keep Paul in custody, but to let him ^(C2)have some freedom, and he told the centurion not to stop any of ^(C3)his friends from providing for his needs.

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife ^(F1)Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about ^(C1)faith in Christ Jesus.²⁵ But as he was discussing ^(C1)righteousness, ^(C2)self-control honorable behavior, personal integrity, and ^(C3)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now, and when I find a convenient time I will send for you."²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping to get ^(C1)money from Paul as a bribe; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him.²⁷ But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded in office by ^(F1)Porcius ^(C1)Festus; and ^(C2)wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul ^(C3)imprisoned.