Accused of Sedition

24 Now after afive days bAnanias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and 1prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your 2courtesy, a few words from us. 5 cFor we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 dHe even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, 3and wanted eto judge him according to our law. 7 fBut the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 gcommanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also 4assented, maintaining that these things were so.

The Defense Before Felix

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem hto worship. 12 iAnd they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to jthe Way which they call a sect, so I worship the kGod of my fathers, believing all things which are written in lthe Law and in the Prophets. 15 mI have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, nthat there will be a resurrection 5of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 oThis being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 “Now after many years pI came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 qin the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me rpurified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 sThey ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are here themselves say 6if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, t‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Felix Procrastinates

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the uWay, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When vLysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and wtold him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the xfaith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that ymoney would be given him by Paul, 7that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, zwanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.