| After five days, Ananias the high Priest descended, with elders and with a certain Orator named Tartullus, and informed the ruler of Paul. When Paul was called forth, Tartullus began to accuse him saying: Seeing that we live in great quietness by the means of thee, and that many good things are done unto this nation through thy providence: that allow we ever and in all places most mighty Felix with all thanks. Notwithstanding, that I be not tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest hear us of thy courtesy a few words.
We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of debate unto all the Jewes throughout the world, and a maintainer of the sect of the Nazarites, and hath also enforced to pollute the temple. Whom we took and would have judged according to our law: but the high captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands commanding his accusers to come unto thee. Of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt enquire) know the certain of all these things whereof we accuse him. The Jewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was even so.
Then Paul (after that the ruler himself had beckoned unto him that he should speak) answered: I shall with a more quiet mind answer for myself, for as much as I understand that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this people, because that thou mayest know that there are yet, but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to pray, and that they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, either raising up the people neither in the Synagogues, nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they accuse me.
But this I confess unto thee, that after that way (which they call heresy) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the Prophets, and have hope towards God, that the same resurrection from death (which they themselves look for also) shall be, both of just and unjust. And therefore study I to have a clear conscience toward God, and toward man also.
But after many years I came and brought alms to my people and offerings, in the which they found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor yet with unquietness. Howbeit there were certain Jewes out of Asia, which ought to be here present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me: or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stand here in the council: except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, of the resurrection from death am I judged of you this day.
When Felix heard these things, he deferred them, for he knew very well of that way, and said: when Lysias the captain is come, I will know the utmost of your matters. And he commanded an undercaptain to keep Paul and that he should have rest, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.
And after a certain days, came Felix and his wife Drusilla which was a Jewess, and called forth Paul, and heard him of the faith which is toward Christ. And as he preached of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come, Felix trembled and answered: thou hast done enough at this time, depart, when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he called him the oftener and communed with him. But after two year, Festus Porcius came into Felix room. And Felix willing to show the Jewes a pleasure, left Paul in prison bound. |
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