1 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney [named] Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.
2 After [Paul] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying [to the governor], |Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,
3 we acknowledge [this] in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 |But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.
5 |For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 |And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.
7 |But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,
8 ordering his accusers to come before you]. By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.|
9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: |Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,
11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 |Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city [itself] did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.
13 |Nor can they prove to you [the charges] of which they now accuse me.
14 |But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;
15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 |In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience [both] before God and before men.
17 |Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;
18 in which they found me [occupied] in the temple, having been purified, without [any] crowd or uproar. But [there were] some Jews from Asia--
19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.
20 |Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,
21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'|
