1And after five days, Khanan-Yah The Kohen HaGadol went down with the elders, together with Tertullus the orator, and they informed the governor against Pavlos. 2And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “It is through you that we enjoy great tranquility, and owing to your care many excellent things have been done for this people. 3And we all, everywhere, receive your favors, O most excellent Felix. 4But while I desire not to weary you with lengthy discussions, nevertheless, I beg you to hear in brief our humble complaint. 5We have found this man to be a pestilent fellow and a worker of sedition among the Yehudim throughout the world, for he is the ringleader of the sect of the Natzrim. 6He sought to defile our Heikhal; therefore when we seized him, we would have judged him according to our Torah. 7But the chief captain Lusias came, and by force took him away out of our hands and sent him to you; 8then he commanded his accusers to come to you. Now when you question him, you can learn for yourself concerning all these things of which we accuse him.” 9The Y’hudim also witnessed against him, declaring that these things were true.
10Then the governor beckoned to Pavlos to speak. Pavlos answered, saying, “For as much as I know that you have been a judge for many years to this people, therefore I do the more cheerfully answer in my own defense, 11so that you may understand that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to Yerushalayim to worship. 12And they neither found me in the Heikhal disputing with any man, nor have I had an assembly either in their Beit K’nessets or in the city; 13nor can they prove before you the things of which they accuse me. 14But this I confess, that in that very teaching which they mention, I worship the Elohim of my fathers, believing all the things which are written in the Torah and in the Nevi’im; 15and I have the same hope in Elohim which they themselves hold, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16For this reason, I labor to have always a clear conscience before Elohim and before men. 17Now after many years, I came to my own people to distribute alms and to present an offering. 18So these men found me purifying myself in the Heikhal, not in a crowd, nor in a riot, except the riot which was caused by the Y’hudim who had come from Asia Minor, 19who ought to have been here with me before you to make whatever accusations they have against me. 20Or else let these same people here say what fault they found in me when I stood before their council. 21Except it be for this one saying which I cried, standing before them. It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am tried before you this day.”
22But because Felix was thoroughly familiar with The Way, he deferred them, saying, “When the chief captain comes down, I will give you a hearing.” 23And he commanded a centurion to keep Pavlos in comfort, and that none of his acquaintances should be prevented from looking after him. 24And after a few days, Felix, with his wife Drusilla, who was a Yehudyah, sent for Pavlos and heard him concerning absolute trust in the Mashi’akh. 25And as he spoke with them concerning tzedaka, kedushah, and the judgment to come, Felix was filled with fear, and said “You may go, and when I have opportunity I will send for you.” 26Since he was expecting a bribe from Pavlos, he often sent for him to be brought, and conversed with him. 27And when Felix had completed two years, another governor succeeded him whose name was Porcius Festus; and Felix, to do the Y’hudim a favor, left Pavlos a prisoner.”
Coming Soon! We are working daily on translating the remainder of the Brit Khadashah from Aramaic to Hebrew. Check back soon for this chapter’s Hebrew version!
D'var יהוה , The Word of יהוה 