1 After five days the high priest Ananias went down with some elders and a spokesman named Tertullus {Tertullos: hired advocate}. These men presented their case to the governor against Paul {Paulos: accused apostle}.
2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus {Tertullos: court orator} began to bring charges against him, saying, “Since we are enjoying great peace {eirene: civic stability} through you and since reforms are being carried out for this nation through your foresight,”
3 Always {pantē: in every way} and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we receive this with wholehearted gratitude {eucharistias: sincere thankfulness}.
4 Yet, so that I may not burden you further {pleion: greater extent}, I ask, by your clemency {epieikeia: gracious leniency}, that you hear us in a few brief words.
5 For we have found this man to be a pestilence {loimos: dangerous influence}: he incites uprisings among all the Jews {Ioudaiois: dispersed covenant people} throughout the inhabited world, and he is a leading figure of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 Who also tried to profane the temple {hieron: sacred precinct}, whom we also seized {ekratesamen: arrested and detained}.
7 But Lysias the commander {chilíarchos: military officer} came on the scene and, with much violence {bias: forceful aggression}, took him away from our hands.
8 From whom you yourself, after examining {anakrinas: judicial investigation} him concerning all these matters, will be able to know fully the things about which we accuse {kategoroumen: present formal charges} him.
9 And the Jews {Ioudaioi: Judean opponents} also joined in, asserting {fasko: solemnly affirming} that these things are so.
10 And Paul, after the governor {hegemon: provincial ruler} had signaled to him to speak, answered, “Since I understand that you have served as a judge {krites: legal decision-maker} over this nation for many years, I respond for myself all the more readily.”
11 You are able {dynamai: possessing capacity} to ascertain that only twelve days have elapsed since I ascended to Jerusalem to worship {proskyneo: reverent homage}.
12 And neither in the temple {hieron: sacred precinct} did they find me engaging with anyone in discussion {dialegomai: reasoned exchange}, or causing an uprising of a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city.
13 They are not even able to present {paristemi: legal evidence} to you any proof concerning the things of which they now accuse {kategoreo: formal charges} me.
14 Yet this I confess to you: that I serve the ancestral God {Theos, Faithful Covenant Keeper} in accordance with the Way {hodos: Christ-centered path} which they call a sect, believing all things that are according to the Law and the things written in the prophets.
15 I have hope {elpida: confident expectation} toward God {Theos, Sure Resurrection Guarantor}, a hope which these themselves also accept, that there is about to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unjust.
16 Because of this, I myself practice to keep a conscience {syneidesis: inner moral awareness} without offense toward God {Theos, Holy Judge} and toward people continually.
17 But after many {pleionon: extended duration} years I came to bring alms {eleemosyne: merciful gifts} to my nation and offerings.
18 In which they found me purified {hagnizo: ritually cleansed} in the temple, not with a crowd {ochlos: gathered multitude} nor with uproar.
19 But some Jews {Ioudaioi: Judean opponents} from Asia, who ought {edei: binding obligation} to have been present before you and to accuse, if they might have anything against me,
20 Or let these themselves say what wrongdoing {adikema: unjust offense} they found in me as I was standing {stantos: positioned for hearing} before the council.
21 Unless it is about this one voice {phone: shouted declaration} that I cried out while standing among them {autois: assembled group}, I am being judged today by you concerning the resurrection of the dead.
22 But Felix, knowing more exactly the things about the Way {hodos: Christian movement}, postponed them and said, “Whenever Lysias the commander {chiliarchos: military officer} comes down, I will decide the things concerning you.”
23 And he gave orders to the centurion {hekatontarches: Roman officer} that Paul should be kept in custody, yet have relief {anesis: considerate leniency}, and that none of his own should be hindered from serving him.
24 After some days Felix, together with Drusilla his own wife who was Jewish {Ioudaia: of Judean descent}, sent for Paul and listened as he spoke concerning faith in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Exalted Savior}.
25 But as he was reasoning about righteousness {dikaiosyne: just moral order} and self-control and the judgment that is coming, Felix, having become afraid, answered, “For the present time {to nyn echon: current circumstances}, go; and when I find an opportunity, I will send for you.”
26 At the same time he was hoping that money {chremata: financial payment} would be given to him by Paul {Paulos: imprisoned apostle}; therefore he also, sending for him more frequently, was conversing with him.
27 But when two years had been completed, Felix received Porcius Festus as his successor; and, wishing {thelon: deliberately desiring} to store up a favor {charis: political goodwill} for the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.