Tertullus Prosecutes Paul

1And, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and a certain orator, Tertullus; who, indeed, informed the governor against Paul. 2And, he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that, through you, we enjoy great peace, and reforms accrue to this nation through your forethought, 3in every way and everywhere; we welcome it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4"But, that I detain you no longer, I pray you to hear us briefly in your clemency. 5For, finding this man a plague, and stirring up insurrections among the Jews throughout the inhabited earth, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes; 6who also attempted to desecrate the temple; whom also we seized.? 7[But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you;] 8from whom you will be able, after having examined him yourself, to obtain full knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him." 9And the Jews also assented, affirming that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

10And Paul answered, the governor having beckoned to him to speak: "Knowing that you, for many years, have been a judge to this nation, cheerfully do I make defense as to the things concerning myself; 11since you are able clearly to know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship; 12and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any one, or causing a stirring up of a multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13nor are they able to prove to you the things of which they are now accusing me. 14But I confess this to you, that, according to the Way which they call 'heresy,' so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all those things, which are according to the law, and which have been written in the prophets; 15having hope toward God?which these themselves also are looking for?that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and unrighteous. 16In this I myself also am striving always to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17Now, after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings; 18amidst which they found me purified in the temple, neither with a multitude, nor with a tumult; but there were certain Jews from Asia, 19who ought to be present before you and accuse me, if they have anything against me. 20Or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when standing before the Sanhedrin, 21except concerning this one voice with which I cried aloud, standing among them, 'Concerning a resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you this day.'

The Verdict Postponed

22But Felix put them off, knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way, saying, "When Lysias the chief captain comes down, I will determine your matters;" 23giving orders to the centurion that he should be held, and should have indulgence, and to prevent none of his friends from ministering to him.

24And, after some days, Felix, having come with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25And, as he was reasoning about righteousness, continence, and the judgment to come, Felix, becoming terrified, answered, "Go your way for the present; and, when I obtain a suitable opportunity, I will call for you;" 26at the same time also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul; wherefore, also, sending for him more frequently, he conversed with him. 27But, when two years were completed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; and, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.