Acts

24 And after five days came down the High-priest Ananias with certain Elders and a certain orator Tertullus, and they informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called Tertullus began to make accusation, saying—Seeing that great peace we are obtaining through thee and that reforms are being brought about for this nation through thy forethought

3 both in all ways and in all places are we accepting it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 But lest I too long detain thee I beseech thee to hear us concisely in thy considerateness.

5 For finding this man a pest and moving sedition with all the Jews that are throughout the inhabited earth, a leader also of the sect of the Nazarenes,—

6 who also attempted to desecrate even the temple, whom we also seized

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8 from whom thou shall be able thyself by making examination concerning all these things to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.

9 Moreover the Jews also were joining in the attack, saying that these things were so.

10 And Paul answered, when the governor had motioned him to be speaking,—Well knowing thee to have been for many years judge unto this nation cheerfully as to the things concerning myself do I make defence;

11 seeing thou art able to ascertain that there are not more than twelve days, since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,—

12 and neither in the temple found they me with any one disputing or causing a halt of the multitude, either in the synagogues or throughout the city,—

13 neither can they make good the things concerning which they are now accusing me.

14 But I confess this unto thee,—That according to the Way which they call a Sect so am I rendering divine service unto my fathers’ God, believing in all the things which throughout the law and those which in the prophets are written:

15 Having hope towards God, which even these themselves do entertain—that a resurrection there shall certainly be both of righteous and of unrighteous:

16 herein even I myself am studying to have an unoffending conscience towards God and men, continually.

17 Now after many years intending to do alms unto my nation I arrived,—also [to present] offerings; among which they found me purified in the temple, not with a multitude, nor with tumult;

18 but certain Jews from Asia [caused it],—

19 who ought before thee to have presented themselves and to have been laying accusation, if anything they might have had against me:—

20 Or, let these themselves say what wrong they found when I stood before the High-council,—

21 unless concerning this one voice wherewith I cried aloud among them as I stood—Concerning the raising of the dead am I to be judged this day by you.

22 And Felix deferred them, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way,—saying—As soon as Lysias the captain hath come down I will give judgment as to your affairs,—

23 giving orders unto the centurion, that he should be kept and have a measure of liberty, and to be hindering none of his own from waiting upon him.

24 And after certain days Felix having arrived with Drusilla his own wife who was a Jewess he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith respecting Christ Jesus.

25 And as he was reasoning of righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come Felix becoming greatly afraid answered—For the present be going thy way, and when I find an opportunity I will send for thee,—

26 at the same time also hoping that money would be given him by Paul; wherefore also the more frequently sending for him he used to converse with him.

27 When however two years were completed Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and Felix wishing to gain favour with the Jews left Paul bound.