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¹ AND after five days An-a-ni''as the high priest went down with the elders, together with Ter-tul''lus, the orator, and they informed the governor against Paul.² And when he was called forth, Ter-tul''lus began to accuse him, saying, It is through you that we enjoy great tranquility, and owing to your care many excellent things have been done for this people.³ And we all, everywhere, receive your favors, O most excellent Fe''lix.⁴ But while I desire not to weary you with lengthy discussions, nevertheless, I beg you to hear in brief our humble complaint.⁵ We have found this man to be a pestilent fellow and a worker of sedition among the Jews throughout the world, for he is the ringleader of the sect of the Naz''a-renes.⁶ He sought to defile our temple: therefore when we seized him, we would have judged him according to our law.⁷ But the chief captain Lys''ias came, and by force took him away out of our hands and sent him to you,⁸ Then he commanded his accusers to come to you. Now when you question him, you can learn for yourself concerning all these things of which we accuse him.⁹ The Jews also witnessed against him, declaring that these things were true.

¹⁰ Then the governor beckoned to Paul to speak. Paul answered and said, For in as much as I know that you have been a judge for many years to this people, therefore I do the more cheerfully answer in my own defense:¹¹ So that you may understand, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.¹² And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, nor have I had an assembly either in their synagogues or in the city:¹³ Nor can they prove before you the things of which they accuse me.¹⁴ But this I confess, that in that very teaching which they mention, I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:¹⁵ And I have the same hope in God which they themselves hold, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.¹⁶ For this reason, I labor to have always a clear conscience before God and before men.¹⁷ Now after many years, I came to my own people to distribute alms and to present an offering.¹⁸ So these men found me purifying myself in the temple, not in a crowd, nor in a riot, except the riot which was caused by the Jews who had come from Asia Minor,¹⁹ Who ought to have been here with me before you, to make whatever accusations they have against me.²⁰ Or else let these same people here say, what fault they found in me when I stood before their council.²¹ Except it be for this one saying which I cried standing before them, It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am tried before you this day.

²² But because Fe''lix was thoroughly familiar with this teaching, he deferred them, saying, When the chief captain comes down, I will give you a hearing.²³ And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul in comfort, and that none of his acquaintances should be prevented from ministering to him.²⁴ And after a few days, Fe''lix with his wife Dru-sil''la, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith of Christ.²⁵ And as he spoke with them concerning righteousness, holiness, and the judgment to come, Fe''lix was filled with fear, and said, You may go, and when I have opportunity I will send for you.²⁶ Since he was expecting a bribe from Paul, he often sent for him to be brought and conversed with him.²⁷ And when he had completed two years, another governor succeeded him whose name was Por''ci-us Fes''tus: and Fe''lix, to do the Jews a favor, left Paul a prisoner.