| Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. | 1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. |
| 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: "We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. | 2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. |
| 3We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. | 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. |
| 4But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. | 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. |
| 5For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. | 5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, |
| 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him." | 6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
| 8 | 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” |
| 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true. | 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true. |
| 10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. | 10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. |
| 11You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. | 11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
| 12They didn't find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. | 12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. |
| 13Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. | 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me. |
| 14But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. | 14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, |
| 15I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. | 15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
| 16I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. | 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. |
| 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. | 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. |
| 18While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. | 18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia |
| 19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. | 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. |
| 20Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, | 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, |
| 21other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, 'Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" | 21unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ” |
| 22Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." | 22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” |
| 23He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. | 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. |
| 24Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. | 24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. |
| 25Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I'll call for you." | 25As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” |
| 26At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. | 26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him. |
| 27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison. | 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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