1After five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders. They brought an orator, Tertullus, who made a statement to the governor against Paul. 2Tertullus presented his case: 3»We have seen peace under your rule. Excellent accomplishments have come to this nation due to your forethought. We acknowledge this with profound gratitude, most excellent Felix. 4»That I not hinder you more, I request that you to hear us briefly in fairness. 5»We have found this man to be a troublemaker who stirs up sedition resists lawful authority among all the Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6»He even tried to desecrate the temple. So we captured him according to our law. 7»But the Roman commander Lysias came to us with the use of force and snatched him from our hands. 8»He commanded his accusers to come to you. Examine him yourself and you will learn the truth about these charges we bring against him.« 9The Jews also joined in accusing him, saying that these things were true. 10The governor motioned for Paul to speak. He said, »I know that you have been a judge for this nation for many years. For this reason I cheerfully make my defense. 11You can easily verify that it was no more than twelve days ago that I went to worship in Jerusalem. 12»They did not find me in the Temple, in the synagogues nor in the city disputing with any man. Neither did I cause a riot with the people. 13»Neither can they prove the things for which they now accuse me. 14»This I confess to you that according to The Way, which they call a sect, I serve the God of our fathers. I believe all the things written in the law and the prophets. 15»I have hope toward God, which they also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16»I exercise myself always, to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. 17»Now after many years I came to bring offerings and gifts of mercy to my nation. 18»Some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple. There was neither crowd nor disturbance! 19»They should have been here before you to testify against me. 20»Or let the men here say what wrong they found in me while I stood before the Sanhedrin. 21»Except for one utterance I cried out while standing among them. It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am called in question by you this day.« 22When Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them saying, »When Lysias the commander comes here I will decide your case.« 23He commanded a centurion to keep Paul. Allow him some freedom of custody and that some of his people should come and minister to him. 24A few days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ. 25He reasoned about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Felix trembled, and answered: »Go your way for now. When I have time I will send for you.« 26He hoped that Paul would give him money to free him. He sent for him frequently and conversed with him. 27After two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Felix was willing to show the Jews a favor. He left Paul in prison.