1And five days later, Ananias, the high priest, came with the elders, and a certain orator named Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.
2And when Paul was brought out, Tertullus began his accusation: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace and quiet under you, and the very worthy reforms done for this nation by your providence,
3And everywhere, we acknowledge it with gratitude, most noble Felix.
4But so that you do not find me tedious, I beg your indulgence to hear a few words from us.
5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, who stirs up sedition among Jews all over the world, and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6And has even tried to profane the temple; and so we seized him, and tried to judge him according to our law.
7But the captain, Lysias, came upon us, and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8Commanding his accusers to come to you; that by examining him yourself, you may take knowledge of all these things, of which we accuse him".
9And other Jews also asserted that these things were so.
10Then when the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: “Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I do the more cheerfully answer in my defense;
11Because you can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12And my accusers neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone, nor stirring up the people, not in the synagogues, nor anywhere else in the city;
13Nor can they prove to you any of the charges they now accuse me of.
14But this I do confess to you, that as a follower of the Way, which they characterize as heresy, I do worship the God of my fathers, believing all that is written in the Law and by the Prophets;
15And I have the same hope in God as these men - that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, of both the just and unjust.
16And so, I endeavor to always maintain a clear conscience toward God, and avoid offending any man.
17Now, after an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring gifts to my people, and to present offerings.
18But when certain Jews from Asia found me in the temple, completing my ceremonial cleansing, with no crowd nor disturbance.;
19Those same Jews from Asia should be here before you, and to object, if they have anything against me.
20Or else, let these that are here state what crime they found in me, when I stood before their council,
21Unless it was for this one thing - that I shouted, as I stood before them, “I am on trial today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead”.
22And when Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way (faith in Jesus Christ), heard these things, he adjourned the hearing by saying, “When Lysias, the captain, comes down, I will decide your case”.
23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul under guard, and to permit him some freedom, and allow his friends to minister to his needs.
24And after several days, when Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him speak about faith in Jesus Christ.
25And as Paul spoke of righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and said, “Go your way for now; when I find it convenient, I will send for you”.
26He was also hoping that Paul might offer him money, that he might free him; and so he sent for him all the more frequently, and talked with him.
27But after two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus; and Felix, willing to do the Jews a favor, kept Paul in prison. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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