9. The other Jews agreed and said that all of this was true.
10. The governor made a sign for Paul to speak. So Paul said, “Governor Felix, I know that you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you.
11. I went to worship in Jerusalem only 12 days ago. You can learn for yourself that this is true.
12. Those who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple. I was not stirring up the people. And I was not making trouble in the Temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
13. They cannot prove the things they are saying against me now.
14. But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way of Jesus. The Jews say that the Way of Jesus is not the right way. But I believe everything that is taught in the law of Moses and that is written in the books of the Prophets.
15. I have the same hope in God that they have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death.
16. This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and men.
17. “I was away from Jerusalem for several years. I went back there to bring money to my people and to offer sacrifices.
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.