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1Five days later Creator Shows Kindness (Ananias) the chief holy man, along with some of the elders and a legal expert named Third (Tertullus) , came before Happy Man (Felix) , and with many words they brought to him their accusations against Small Man (Paul) .
2When they brought Small Man (Paul) before them, the legal expert began to accuse him.
“O Most Honored Happy Man (Felix) ,” he began his speech, “our hearts are glad that under your guidance we have had many winters of peace. Because of your wisdom, many good changes have come to the people,
3changes that we fully welcome with glad and open hearts.
4So we beg you, in your kindness, to hear our short complaint.
5“We have found this man to be a troublemaker who, all over the world, stirs up our Tribal People in a bad way. He is a headman of the wayward band called Seed Planters (Nazarenes) .
6When he tried to defile our sacred lodge, we arrested himand would have judged him by our own tribal law.[#24:6 The remainder of verse 6 along with verse 7 are not included in many ancient manuscripts.]
7But the head officer Limping Man Who Sets Free (Claudius Lysias) came and forcefully took him out of our hands. He then ordered his accusers to come to you.
8When you question him for yourself, you will learn from him that we speak the truth.”
9The Tribal Members who were there also joined in the accusations, saying it was all true.
10The governor then motioned for Small Man (Paul) to speak.
“I know that for many winters you have been a judge over this nation,” Small Man (Paul) said. “My heart is glad that I can clear the air regarding these things.
11As you will find out from others, it has not been more than twelve days since I went to Village of Peace (Jerusalem) to offer my prayers and participate in traditional ceremonies at the sacred lodge.
12“No one there found me making trouble or stirring up a crowd. Not at the sacred lodge, the gathering house, or in the village.
13No one here can prove the accusations they now bring against me.
14“I speak from my heart. I am only guilty of following the Way, which they say is false. But this is the way I follow the Great Spirit of my ancestors. This Way is in agreement with the law of my people and what has been foretold by our prophets.
15This gives me the same hope in Creator that my accusers have. That all who have died, both those who do good and those who do bad, will rise to life again.
16Knowing this, my aim is to walk with a clear heart toward the Great Spirit and my fellow human beings.
17“After being away for a number of winters, I returned to Village of Peace (Jerusalem) . I brought gifts for the poor of my nation, as well as ceremonial offerings.
18When they found me, I was in the sacred lodge participating in a ceremony. There was no crowd or disturbance.
19Some Tribal Members from Land of the Rising Sun (Asia) were there at that time. If they have any accusation against me, they are the ones who should make it.
20“Let these men who are here tell you what I did wrong when I stood before the council.
21The only thing they can say against me is what I said to them: ‘I am on trial today because I believe in the rising of the dead!’”
22But Happy Man (Felix) , who knew more about the Way, delayed his decision.
“I will make my decision,” he said, “when Limping Man Who Sets Free (Claudius Lysias) arrives.”
23He then ordered the head soldier to keep Small Man (Paul) under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to care for his needs.
24A number of days later Happy Man (Felix) returned with Tender Woman (Drusilla) , his wife, who was a member of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) . He had Small Man (Paul) brought to him, and he and his wife listened to him tell about his trust in Creator Sets Free (Jesus) , the Chosen One.
25They talked back and forth about Creator’s right ways, about self-control, and about the judgment that was to come. But Happy Man (Felix) became afraid.
“Leave me for now,” he said. “I will send for you when I have more time to talk.”
26He was hoping that Small Man (Paul) would offer him a bribe, so from time to time he would send for him and talk with him, but Small Man (Paul) remained under guard .
27Two winters later Happy Man (Felix) was replaced as governor by Pig Festival (Porcius Festus) . Then to gain favor with the Tribal Members, he left Small Man (Paul) in prison.