## Paul's Trial Before Felix the Governor 

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Now 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. 

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And after _Paul_ had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "As we have attained much peace through you--and because by your provision reforms are being carried out for this nation-- 

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we welcome _this_ in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 

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But, that I may not weary you any further, I plead with you by your forbearance to hear us briefly. 

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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. 

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And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 

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But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 

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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." 

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And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. 

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And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul answered: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 

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since you are able to ascertain the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 

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And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor across the city did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 

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Nor are they able to prove to you of what they are now accusing me. 

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But this I confess 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; 

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having a hope in God, for which these men are waiting, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 

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In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a conscience without fault _both_ before God and before men. 

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Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings; 

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in which they found me, having been purified in the temple, without _any_ crowd or uproar. But _there were_ some Jews from Asia-- 

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who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 

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Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 

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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.'" 

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But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." 

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Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and _yet_ have _some_ rest, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 

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But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and summoned Paul and heard him _speak_ about faith in Christ Jesus. 

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But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you." 

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At the same time, he was also hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him. 

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But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.