1. After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor.
2. When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight.
3. Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude.
4. But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.
5. For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6. He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.
8. When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing.”
9. The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true.
10. When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.
11. As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12. They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city,
13. nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing.
14. But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets.
15. I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16. This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people.
17. After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings,