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Paul before Felix
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.
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.
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,
“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,
When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:
“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us.
“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us.
we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you.
“But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.
But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.
“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.
We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.
“And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.
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.”
You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.”
The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.
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,
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,
The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.
since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.
“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.
My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.
“Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.
These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
“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;
“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.
having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.
“In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
“Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;
“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.
in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia —
My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting.
who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.
But some Jews from the province of Asia were there — and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me!
“Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,
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.’”
except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”
But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”
At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”
Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.
But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.
But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”
As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”
At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.
He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.