| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. | 1After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. |
| 2And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, | 2When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: "Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, |
| 3We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. | 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. |
| 4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. | 4However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. |
| 5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: | 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! |
| 6Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. | 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him and wanted to judge him according to our law. |
| 7But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, | 7But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, |
| 8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. | 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of." |
| 9And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so. |
| 10Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: | 10When the governor motioned to 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. |
| 11Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. | 11You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. |
| 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: | 12They didn't find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. |
| 13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. | 13Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. |
| 14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: | 14But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers' God according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets. |
| 15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. | 15And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. |
| 16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. | 16I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men. |
| 17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. | 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation, |
| 18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. | 18and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. |
| 19Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. | 19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. |
| 20Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, | 20Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, |
| 21Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. | 21or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, 'Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" |
| 22And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. | 22Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." |
| 23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. | 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 serving him. |
| 24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. | 24After some days, 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. |
| 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. | 25Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I find time I'll call for you." |
| 26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. | 26At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. |
| 27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. | 27After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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