Tertullus Prosecutes Paul

1And after five days Ananias the high priest with certain elders, and a certain orator Tertyllus, came down, who appeared before the governor against Paul. 2And he having been called, Tertyllus began to accuse him, saying, 3Receiving great peace through thee, and prosperity accruing to this nation through thy wisdom, we receive with all gratitude, both always, and everywhere, O most noble Felix. 4But in order that I may not weary you excessively, I exhort you to hear us patiently according to your clemency. 5For having found this man pestilential, and stirring up seditions to all the Jews who are throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6who also endeavored to pollute the temple: whom we indeed arrested, 7 8with whom you yourself, having made inquiry, are able to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him. 9And the Jews were consenting, saying, Truly these things are so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

10And Paul responded, the governor beckoning to him to speak; Knowing you to be a judge to this nation from many years, I cheerfully apologize as to the things concerning myself: 11you being able to know, that there are not more than twelve days to me since I came up to Jerusalem to worship. 12Neither did they find me in the temple disputing with any one, or causing an excitement of the multitude, neither in the synagogues, nor throughout the city: 13neither are they able to prove before you the things which they are now accusing me. 14But I confess this to you, that according to the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of our fathers, believing all things which have been written in the law and in the prophets: 15having hope towards God, which they themselves also receive, that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust. 16In this I also exercise, to always have a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17And after many years I came to do alms and offerings to my race; 18in which they found me having been purified in the temple, not with rabble, nor with an uproar; and were certain Jews from Asia, 19whom it behooves to be present before me, and accuse me, if they should have anything against me. 20Or let them tell what injustice they found, while I was standing before the sanhedrim, 21except concerning this one voice, which I cried out standing in their midst, that concerning the resurrection of the dead I am judged before you this day.

The Verdict Postponed

22And Felix having learned more thoroughly the things concerning the way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chiliarch may come down, I will diagnose the things appertaining to you: 23having commanded the centurion to keep him, and let him have liberty, and prohibit no one of his friends from ministering unto him.

24And after certain day, Felix with Drusilla his wife, being a Jewess, coming, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith which is towards Christ Jesus. 25And he reasoning concerning righteousness and temperance and the coming judgment, Felix, being alarmed, responded, Go thy way for this time; and having received an opportunity, I will call for thee: 26at the same time also hoping that money will be given to him by Paul; therefore indeed the more frequently sending for him, he conversed with him. 27But two years having passed away Felix received Porcius Festus as his successor: and Felix, wishing to confer on the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.