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¹ And after five days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.² And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by thy providence,³ We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.⁴ Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst of thy clemency hear us a few words.⁵ For we have found this a pestilent man, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes:⁶ Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.⁷ But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took [him] out of our hands,⁸ Commanding his accusers to come to thee: by examining whom, thou thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him.⁹ And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.

¹⁰ Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:¹¹ That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.¹² And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither exciting the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:¹³ Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.¹⁴ But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:¹⁵ And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.¹⁶ And in this I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense towards God, and [towards] men.¹⁷ Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.¹⁸ Upon which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.¹⁹ Who ought to have been here before thee, and object if they had aught against me.²⁰ Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil-doing in me, while I stood before the council,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 by you this day.

²² And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.²³ And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come to him.²⁴ And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.²⁵ And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, depart for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.²⁶ He hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.²⁷ But after two years Porcius Festus came as successor to Felix: and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.