the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said for him that he should be given a hearing with scourging, so that he might learn why they were crying thus against him.

But as they were stretching him out with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"

Now on the next day, desiring to know the truth [as to] why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from the bonds, and ordered the chief priests and their whole council to come, and brought Paul down and presented [him] to them.

But Paul answered, the governor had nodded for him to speak: "Knowing that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, the more cheerfully I defend the things concerning myself,

And when he heard these things, Felix adjourned them, knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way, and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case."

When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious accusations against Paul, which they were not able to prove,

while he defended himself, [saying], "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar did I commit any sin."

and when they withdrew, they were speaking among themselves, saying, "This man practices nothing worthy of death or chains."