1. Five days later Ananias the high priest, together with some of their leaders and a lawyer named Tertullus, went to the governor to present their case against Paul.
2. So Paul was called in, and Tertullus stated the case against him:Honourable Felix, you have brought our people a long period of peace, and because of your concern our nation is much better off.
3. All of us are always grateful for what you have done.
4. I don't want to bother you, but please be patient with us and listen to me for just a few minutes.
5. This man has been found to be a real pest and troublemaker for Jews all over the world. He is also a leader of a group called Nazarenes.
6-8. When he tried to disgrace the temple, we arrested him. If you question him, you will find out for yourself that our charges are true.
9. The Jewish crowd spoke up and agreed with what Tertullus had said.
10. The governor motioned for Paul to speak, and he began:I know that you have judged the people of our nation for many years, and I am glad to defend myself in your court.
11. It was no more than twelve days ago that I went to worship in Jerusalem. You can find this out easily enough.
12. Never once did the Jews find me arguing with anyone in the temple. I didn't cause trouble in the Jewish meeting places or in the city itself.
13. There is no way that they can prove these charges that they are now bringing against me.
14. I admit that their leaders think that the Lord's Way which I follow is based on wrong beliefs. But I still worship the same God that my ancestors worshipped. And I believe everything written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets.
15. I am just as sure as these people are that God will raise from death everyone who is good or evil.
16. And because I am sure, I try my best to have a clear conscience in whatever I do for God or for people.
17. After being away for several years, I returned here to bring gifts for the poor people of my nation and to offer sacrifices.
18. This is what I was doing when I was found going through a ceremony in the temple. I wasn't with a crowd, and there was no uproar.