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.
保羅在腓利斯面前受審
1五天後，大祭司亞拿尼亞帶著幾個長老和一位叫帖土羅的律師下到凱撒利亞，向總督控告保羅。 2保羅被傳來後，帖土羅指控他說：「腓利斯大人深謀遠慮，在大人的領導下，國中有許多改革，我們常享太平。 3我們對大人的恩德感激不盡。 4我不敢耽誤大人太久，只求大人容我們簡單敘述。 5我們發現這個人惹事生非，到處煽動猶太人鬧事。他是拿撒勒教派的一個頭目， 6企圖玷污聖殿，被我們抓住了。我們想按照猶太律法處置他， 7不料呂西亞千夫長卻硬把他從我們手中搶走， 8並命令告他的人到大人這裡來。24·8 有古卷無「我們想按照猶太律法處置他，不料呂西亞千夫長卻硬把他從我們手中搶走，並命令告他的人到大人這裡來。」大人親自審問他，就會知道我們告他的事了。」 9在場的猶太人也隨聲附和，表示這些事屬實。
保羅的申辯
10總督點頭示意保羅可以發言，於是保羅說：「我知道大人在猶太執法多年，我很樂意在你面前為自己辯護。 11大人明鑒，從我上耶路撒冷禮拜至今不過十二天。 12這些人根本沒有見過我在聖殿、會堂或城裡與人爭辯，聚眾鬧事。 13他們對我的指控毫無根據。 14但有一點我必須承認，就是我依循他們稱之為異端的道事奉我們祖先的上帝，我也相信律法書和先知書的一切記載， 15並且我與他們在上帝面前有同樣的盼望，就是義人和不義的人都要復活。 16因此，我一直盡力在上帝和人面前都做到問心無愧。
17「我離開耶路撒冷已有多年，這次回來是帶著捐款要賙濟同胞，並獻上祭物。 18他們看見我的時候，我已行過潔淨禮，正在聖殿裡獻祭，沒有聚眾，也沒有作亂。 19當時只有幾個從亞細亞來的猶太人在那裡，如果他們有事要告我，應該到你這裡告我； 20不然，請這些出庭的人指出他們在公會審問我時發現了什麼罪。 21如果有，也無非是當時我站在他們當中喊了一句，『我今天在你們面前受審與死人復活有關。』」
22腓利斯原本對這道頗有認識，於是下令休庭，說：「等呂西亞千夫長抵達後，我再斷你們的案子。」 23他派百夫長看守保羅，給他一定的自由，也允許親友來供應他的需要。
24幾天後，腓利斯和他的妻子猶太人土西拉一同來了，召見保羅，聽他講信基督耶穌的事。 25當保羅講到公義、節制和將來的審判時，腓利斯十分恐懼，說：「你先下去吧，改天有機會，我再叫你來。」 26腓利斯希望保羅賄賂他，所以經常召他來談話。 27過了兩年，波求·非斯都接任總督，腓利斯為了討好猶太人，仍然把保羅留在監裡。
