18. I was doing this when they found me in the Temple. I had finished the cleansing ceremony. I had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me.
19. But some Jews from Asia were there. They should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, they are the ones who should accuse me.
20. Or ask these Jews here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the Jewish council in Jerusalem.
21. But I did say one thing when I stood before them: ‘You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from death!’”
22. Felix already understood much about the Way of Jesus. He stopped the trial and said, “When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide about your case.”
23. Felix told the officer to keep Paul guarded. But he told the officer to give Paul some freedom and to let his friends bring what he needed.
24. After some days Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was a Jew. He asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus.
25. But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about things like right living, self-control, and the time when God will judge the world. He said, “Go away now. When I have more time, I will call for you.”
26. At the same time Felix hoped that Paul would give him some money. So he sent for Paul often and talked with him.
27. But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. Felix was no longer governor, but he had left Paul in prison to please the Jews.