Before Felix
Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him. The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defence. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin — unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today. Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. When Lysias the commander comes, he said, I will decide your case. He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, That's enough for now. You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you. At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favour to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.
But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defence.
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.
Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin —
Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.
Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. When Lysias the commander comes, he said, I will decide your case.
And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, That's enough for now. You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favour to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.