1And after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These made declarations to the governor against Paul. 2And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your providence, 3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I entreat you to hear, by your fairness, a few words from us. 5For we have found this man pestilent, a mover of insurrection among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and were determined to judge him according to our law. 7But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him. 9And the Jews also assented, alleging that these things were so. 10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully make my defense, 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to do homage. 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, neither in the synagogues nor throughout the city. 13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also admit, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is blameless toward God and men. 17Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a crowd nor with tumult. 19They ought to have been here before you to accuse if they had anything against me. 20Or else let these themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out while standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day. 22And when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he postponed judgment and said, When Lysias the commander comes down, I will examine your case. 23So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. 24And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and answered, Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you. 26Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. 27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.