| International Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1Five days later, the high priest Ananias arrived with certain elders and Tertullus, an attorney, and they summarized their case against Paul before the governor. | 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 had been summoned, Tertullus opened the prosecution by saying: "Your Excellency Felix, since we are enjoying lasting peace because of you, and since reforms for this nation are being brought about through your foresight, | 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. |
| 3we always and everywhere acknowledge it with profound gratitude. | 3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. |
| 4But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. |
| 5For we have found this man a perfect pest and an agitator among all Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader in the sect of the Nazarenes | 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 profane the Temple, but we arrested him. | 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
| 8By examining him for yourself, you will be able to find out from him everything of which we accuse him." | 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." |
| 9The Jewish leaders supported his accusations by asserting that these things were true. | 9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. |
| 10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied: "Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defense. | 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 verify for yourself that I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago. | 11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
| 12They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city, | 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 bringing against me. | 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. |
| 14However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets. | 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, |
| 15I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish—that there is to be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. | 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. |
| 16Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. | 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. |
| 17After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. | 17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. |
| 18They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. | 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 some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me if they have anything against me. | 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. |
| 20Otherwise, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council — | 20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- |
| 21unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: 'It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" | 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.'" |
| 22Felix was rather well informed about the Way, and so he adjourned the trial with the comment, "When Tribune Lysias arrives, I'll decide your case." | 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 guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and not to keep any of his friends from caring for his needs. | 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. |
| 24Some days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Jesus the Messiah. | 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 coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." | 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 to receive a bribe from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him. | 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. |
| 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison. | 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. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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