SO after five days Ananias the high-priest went down with the elders,
and a certain rhetorician, Tertullus, who made their appearance before
the governor against Paul. (2)And he being summoned, Tertullus began to
accuse him, saying,
Since by thee we enjoy so much peace, and such noble acts are happily
performed for this nation by thy provident administration, (3)always
and in all places we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with all
gratitude. (4)Now that I may not be unnecessarily tedious to thee, I
entreat thee to hear us briefly with thy wonted candour. (5)For we
found this fellow a pest _to society_, and exciting sedition among all
the Jews throughout the whole world, and a ringleader of the sect of
the Nazareans: (6)who even attempted to profane the temple: we seized
him therefore, and intended to judge him according to our own law.
(7)But Lysias the tribune came, and with great violence took him out of
our hands, (8)commanding his accusers to appear before thee: whereby
thou mayest thyself be able after examination to know the certainty of
those things whereof we accuse him.
(9)Then the Jews also joined in affirming, that these things were so.
(10)But Paul (the governor having made him a sign to speak) replied,
Knowing that for so many years thou hast been the judge of this nation,
I with the more confidence offer my defence respecting the matters
which concern me: (11)as thou mayest be ascertained, that it is not
more than twelve days ago since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
(12)And neither in the temple found they me disputing with any man, nor
raising any sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor
in the city: (13)neither can they produce any proof of the facts of
which they accuse me. (14)But this I confess to thee, that after the
way which they call a sect, so worship I the God of our ancestors,
believing all things that are written in the law, and in the prophets:
(15)and having hope in God, the same which they also profess to look
for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just
and of the unjust. (16)For this cause indeed I exert my utmost care to
keep my conscience ever unoffending towards God and towards man.
(17)Now after many years absence I was returned bringing alms to my
countrymen, and oblations _to the temple_. (18)In the discharge of
which offices certain Jews of Asia found me purified in the temple,
neither with a multitude, nor with any tumult. (19)Who ought to have
appeared before thee, and prefer their accusation, if they had any
thing against me. (20)Or let the persons themselves here present say,
if they found any thing criminal in me, when I stood before the
sanhedrim, (21)except for this one sentence, which I uttered aloud when
I was standing among them, For the resurrection of the dead am I this
day judged by you.
(22)When Felix then heard these things he put them off, (for he knew
very exactly all that related to that way,) saying, When Lysias the
tribune is come down, I will inquire thoroughly into the matters
between you. (23)And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be
safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his
friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.
(24)Now after some days, Felix returning with Drusilla his wife, who
was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in
Christ. (25)And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and
the judgment which is ready to be revealed, Felix being greatly
terrified, replied, Go, for the present, I will some time hence take
another opportunity of calling for thee. (26)Indeed he had also
entertained hope that money would be given him by Paul, in order to
release him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and conversed with
him. (27)But when two years were ended, Felix had Portius Festus
appointed for his successor: and willing to curry favour with the Jews,
Felix left Paul in chains.