241 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders , with an attorney named Tertullus , and they brought charges to the governor against Paul . 2 After Paul had been summoned , Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "S ince we have through you attained much peace , and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation , 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere , most excellent Felix , with all thankfulness . 4 "But, that I may not weary you any further e , I beg you to grant us, by your kindness , a brief hearing . 5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world , and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . 6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple ; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law . 7 "But Lysias the commander came along , and with much violence took him out of our hands , 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him." 9 The Jews also joined in the attack , asserting that these things were so .
10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak , Paul responded : "K nowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation , I cheerfully make my defense , 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship . 12 " Neither in the temple , nor in the synagogues , nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot . 13 " Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers , believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets ; 15 having a hope in God , which these men cherish themselves , that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked . 16 "In view of this , I also do my best to maintain always e a blameless conscience both before God and before men . 17 "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings ; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple , having been purified , without e any crowd or uproar . But there were some Jews from Asia - 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation , if they should have anything against me. 20 "Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council , 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today .' "
22 But Felix , having a more exact knowledge about the Way , put them off , saying , "When Lysias the commander comes down , I will decide your case e ." 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom , and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla , his wife who was a Jewess , and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus . 25 But as he was discussing righteousness , self-control and the judgment to come , Felix became frightened and said , "Go away for the present , and when I find time I will summon you." 26 At the same time too , he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul ; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed , Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus , and wishing to do the Jews a favor , Felix left Paul imprisoned .
