Paul’s Trial Before Felix
1Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 724:6-7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you. 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
17“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”
22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
保罗在腓利斯面前受审
1五天后，大祭司亚拿尼亚带着几个长老和一位叫帖土罗的律师下到凯撒利亚，向总督控告保罗。 2保罗被传来后，帖土罗指控他说：“腓利斯大人深谋远虑，在大人的领导下，国中有许多改革，我们常享太平。 3我们对大人的恩德感激不尽。 4我不敢耽误大人太久，只求大人容我们简单叙述。 5我们发现这个人惹事生非，到处煽动犹太人闹事。他是拿撒勒教派的一个头目， 6企图玷污圣殿，被我们抓住了。我们想按照犹太律法处置他， 7不料吕西亚千夫长却硬把他从我们手中抢走， 8并命令告他的人到大人这里来。24:8 有古卷无“我们想按照犹太律法处置他，不料吕西亚千夫长却硬把他从我们手中抢走，并命令告他的人到大人这里来。”大人亲自审问他，就会知道我们告他的事了。” 9在场的犹太人也随声附和，表示这些事属实。
保罗的申辩
10总督点头示意保罗可以发言，于是保罗说：“我知道大人在犹太执法多年，我很乐意在你面前为自己辩护。 11大人明鉴，从我上耶路撒冷礼拜至今不过十二天。 12这些人根本没有见过我在圣殿、会堂或城里与人争辩，聚众闹事。 13他们对我的指控毫无根据。 14但有一点我必须承认，就是我依循他们称之为异端的道事奉我们祖先的上帝，我也相信律法书和先知书的一切记载， 15并且我与他们在上帝面前有同样的盼望，就是义人和不义的人都要复活。 16因此，我一直尽力在上帝和人面前都做到问心无愧。
17“我离开耶路撒冷已有多年，这次回来是带着捐款要周济同胞，并献上祭物。 18他们看见我的时候，我已行过洁净礼，正在圣殿里献祭，没有聚众，也没有作乱。 19当时只有几个从亚细亚来的犹太人在那里，如果他们有事要告我，应该到你这里告我； 20不然，请这些出庭的人指出他们在公会审问我时发现了什么罪。 21如果有，也无非是当时我站在他们当中喊了一句，‘我今天在你们面前受审与死人复活有关。’”
22腓利斯原本对这道颇有认识，于是下令休庭，说：“等吕西亚千夫长抵达后，我再断你们的案子。” 23他派百夫长看守保罗，给他一定的自由，也允许亲友来供应他的需要。
24几天后，腓利斯和他的妻子犹太人土西拉一同来了，召见保罗，听他讲信基督耶稣的事。 25当保罗讲到公义、节制和将来的审判时，腓利斯十分恐惧，说：“你先下去吧，改天有机会，我再叫你来。” 26腓利斯希望保罗贿赂他，所以经常召他来谈话。 27过了两年，波求·非斯都接任总督，腓利斯为了讨好犹太人，仍然把保罗留在监里。
