Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they presented their case to the governor.
When Paul was called in, Tertullus began his accusation: “Since through you we enjoy great peace, and since by your providence, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all gratitude.
But in order not to detain you too long, I beg you to hear us briefly.
For we have found this man to be a plague, a pestilent fellow, who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
He even tried to profane the temple, so we arrested him.
You can examine him yourself by questioning him according to the law.
We have more than enough evidence to charge him with rebellion against our people.”
When the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied, “I know that for many years you have been a judge over this nation; so I do the more cheerfully appeal to you.
In fact, you can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city did they find me disputing with anyone or causing a crowd.
Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
But I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.
I believe everything that is written in the law and in the prophets,
and I have the same hope in God as these people, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
This is why I also strive to have a clear conscience before God and before people always.
After some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
In these things some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd or with tumult.
They ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.
Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
unless it was for this one statement that I cried out standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you today.’”
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some liberty and not to prevent his friends from providing for his needs.
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