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And after five days, the great kohen Chananyah came down with certain elders and a certain advocate named Tertullos, and they presented their case against Paulos to the governor.
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And when he was called, Tertullos began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much shalom, and through your foresight reforms are being made for this nation,
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in every way and everywhere we receive this, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.
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But so that I do not detain you further, I ask you to hear us briefly in your fairness.
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For we have found this ish a plague, stirring sedition among all the Yehudim throughout the inhabited world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Natzrim.
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He even attempted to profane the House, and we seized him.
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[And Lysias the commander came and with great violence took him from our hands,
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commanding his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself, you shall be able to learn concerning all these things of which we accuse him.”
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And the Yehudim also joined in the accusation, affirming that these things were so.
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And when the governor motioned for him to speak, Paulos answered: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense concerning myself.
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You are able to know that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Yerushalayim to bow before Elohim.
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And neither in the House did they find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city.
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Nor are they able to prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
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But this I confess to you: that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the Elohim of our fathers, trusting all things according to the Torah and written in the Prophets,
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having hope toward Elohim, which these themselves also await, that there shall be a resurrection both of righteous and unrighteous.
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Because of this, I myself also exercise myself to have a conscience without offense toward Elohim and Adam continually.
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And after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings,
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during which they found me purified in the House, not with a crowd nor with tumult, but certain Yehudim from Asia—
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who ought to be present before you and accuse, if they had anything against me.
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Or let these themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
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except concerning this one declaration which I cried while standing among them: ‘Concerning resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today.’”
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But Felix, having more precise knowledge concerning the Way, postponed them, saying: “When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall determine your matter.”
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And he commanded the centurion to keep Paulos under guard, but to allow him some freedom and prevent none of his own from serving him.
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And after some days, Felix came with Drusilla his ishah, who was Yehudit. And sending for Paulos, he heard him concerning trust in Yahushua the Anointed.
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But as he reasoned concerning righteousness, self-control, and the Judgment that is coming, Felix became afraid and answered: “Go away for now. When I find an opportunity, I shall summon you.”
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At the same time he also hoped that silver would be given to him by Paulos. Therefore he sent for him more frequently and conversed with him.
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But when two years were fulfilled, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. And Felix, desiring to gain favor with the Yehudim, left Paulos bound.