And after five days came down the high priest Ananias with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus; and they laid an information before the governor against Paul.
And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great peace, and by thy providence reforms are made for this nation,
we accept [it] every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
But that I be not further tedious to thee, I entreat thee to hear us briefly in thy clemency.
For we found this man a pest, and moving insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
who also attempted to profane the temple; whom we also seized [and would have judged according to our law.
But Lysias the commander came and with great violence took [him] away from our hands,
commanding his accusers to come unto thee]; from whom thou wilt be able, by examining, thyself to take knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him.
And the Jews joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
And when the governor beckoned him to speak, Paul answered, Knowing that since many years thou art judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defence,
as thou canst ascertain that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem;
and neither in the temple did they find me discoursing with anyone, or making a tumult of a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city.
Neither can they prove to thee the things of which they now accuse me.
But this I confess to thee, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the God of the fathers, believing all things that are according to the law and that are written in the prophets;
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that a resurrection is to be of both just and unjust.
Herein also do I exercise myself to have a conscience without offence toward God and men continually.
Now after several years I arrived to bring alms unto my nation and offerings;
in which they found me purified in the temple, not with crowd nor yet with tumult; but certain Jews from Asia,
who ought to have been present before thee, and to have accused, if they had aught against me.
Or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council,
[other] than for this one voice that I cried out standing among them, touching the resurrection of [the] dead, I am judged this day before you.
But Felix, having more accurate knowledge concerning the Way, adjourned them, saying, When Lysias the commander is come down, I will determine your matter.
And he ordered the centurion that he should be kept in charge and should have indulgence; and not to hinder any of his friends from ministering to him.
And after certain days Felix, having arrived with Drusilla his wife being a Jewess, sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
And as he reasoned concerning righteousness and temperance and the judgment to come, Felix became terrified and answered, For the present go, and when I get a convenient season, I will send for thee,
hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul, wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him.
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, willing to gain favour with the Jews, left Paul in bonds.