| NET Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. | 1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. |
| 2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight. | 2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, |
| 3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. | 3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. |
| 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. |
| 5For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. | 5For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. |
| 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. | 6He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. |
| 8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing." | 8By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” |
| 9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. | 9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so. |
| 10When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. | 10And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. |
| 11As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, |
| 12They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city, | 12and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. |
| 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. | 13Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. |
| 14But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets. | 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, |
| 15I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. | 15having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. |
| 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. | 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. |
| 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings, | 17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. |
| 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. | 18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— |
| 19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who should be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. | 19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. |
| 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council, | 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, |
| 21other than this one thing I shouted out while I stood before them: 'I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" | 21other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’” |
| 22Then Felix, who understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case." | 22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” |
| 23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. | 23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. |
| 24Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. | 24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. |
| 25While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you." | 25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” |
| 26At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him. | 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. |
| 27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. | 27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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