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¹ Five days later, the high priest Ananias arrived with some elders and Tertullius, an attorney, and they presented their case against Paul before the governor.[xr] ² When Paul[fn] had been summoned, Tertullius opened the prosecution by saying: "Your Excellency Felix, since we are enjoying lasting peace through you, and since reforms for this nation are being brought about through your foresight, ³ we always and everywhere acknowledge it with profound gratitude. ⁴ But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. ⁵ For we have found this man a perfect pest and an agitator among all Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader in the sect of the Nazarenes[fn][xr] ⁶ and even tried to profane the temple, but we arrested him.[fn][fn][fn][xr] ⁸ By examining him for yourself, you will be able to find out from him everything of which we accuse him."[xr] ⁹ The Jews supported his accusations by asserting that these things were true.

¹⁰ When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied: "Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defense. ¹¹ You can verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.[xr] ¹² They never found me debating with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city,[xr] ¹³ and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. ¹⁴ However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy,[fn] I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets.[xr] ¹⁵ I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish - that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.[xr] ¹⁶ Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience in the sight of God and people.[xr] ¹⁷ After many years I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices.[xr] ¹⁸ They found me in the temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present.[xr] ¹⁹ But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me.[xr] ²⁰ Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council[fn] - ²¹ unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: 'It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"[xr]

²² Felix was rather well informed about the Way, and so he adjourned the trial with the comment, "When Tribune Lysias arrives, I will decide your case."[xr] ²³ He ordered the centurion to guard Paul[fn] but to let him have some freedom and not to keep any of his friends from caring for his needs.[xr] ²⁴ Some days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.[fn] ²⁵ As Paul[fn] talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping to get money from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him.[xr] ²⁷ After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.[xr]