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¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.² And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,³ we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.⁴ But, that I not be further tedious to you, I entreat you to hear us of your clemency a few words.⁵ For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:⁶ who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold:⁸ from whom you will be able, by examining him yourself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.⁹ And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.

¹⁰ And when the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, Since I know that you have been of many years a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:¹¹ Seeing that you can take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:¹² and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.¹³ Neither can they prove to you the things whereof they now accuse me.¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that after the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;¹⁵ having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.¹⁶ In this I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men always.¹⁷ Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:¹⁸ amid which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult:¹⁹ but [there were] certain Jews from Asia, who ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.²⁰ Otherwise let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin,²¹ except it is for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.

²² But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Colonel Lysias shall come down, I will determine your matter.²³ And he gave order to the captain that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him.²⁴ But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was Jewish, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.²⁵ And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go your way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call you to me.²⁶ He hoped as well that money would be given him of Paul: therefore also he sent for him the more often, and communed with him.²⁷ But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.