CHAPTER XXII.
PAUL'S TRIAL BEFORE FELIX THE PROCURATOR.—A.D. 59, 60.
1 24:1AND after five days the chief priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator, Tertullus, went down and gave information to the procurator against Paul. 24:2And he being called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Having obtained great peace by you, and things being happily arranged for this nation by your oversight in all things and in all places 24:3we accept [it] most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 24:4But that I may not further weary you, I beg you to hear us briefly, with your clemency. 24:5For finding this man a pestilence and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a chief of the sect of the Nazoraeans, 24:6who also endeavored to profane the temple, whom we also took, 24:8from whom you will be able to learn by examination of all these things of which we accuse him. 24:9And the Jews also assented, saying, These things are so.
2 24:10And the procurator making a sign to him to speak, Paul answered, Knowing that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I shall defend myself cheerfully, 24:11you being able to know that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 24:12And they did not find me in the temple disputing with any one, or making a disturbance of the multitude, neither in the synagogues nor in the city; 24:13neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
3 24:14But this I confess to you, that in the way which they call a heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers; believing all things written in the law and the prophets, 24:15having a hope in God which they also hold, that there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and wicked. 24:16And in this also I endeavor always to have a conscience without offense towards God and man.
4 24:17But after many years I came to bring charities and offerings to my nation, 24:18in which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a multitude, nor with a tumult, 24:19who ought to be present and accuse me before you, if they have any thing against me. 24:20Or let them say whether they found any unrighteousness in me when I stood before the Sanhedrim, 24:21except in this one statement which I made, as I stood among them, that I am under trial by you to-day concerning the resurrection of the dead.
5 24:22But Felix put them off, saying, Having learned more accurately of this way, when Lysias the chiliarch comes down I will decide concerning your matters, 24:23and he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept, and be freed from bonds, and that he should forbid none of his friends to serve him.
6 24:24And after some days Felix coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 24:25And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix being terrified answered, Go for the present; but when I have time I will call you. 24:26At the same time also he hoped that money would be given him by Paul; and on this account sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him. 24:27But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gratify the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.