| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 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 Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. |
| 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 was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. |
| 3We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. | 3For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. |
| 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 I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. |
| 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 troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as 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." | 6Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him. |
| 8 | 8You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” |
| 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true. | 9Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was 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. | 10The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. |
| 11You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. | 11You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. |
| 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. | 12My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. |
| 13Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. | 13These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing. |
| 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. | 14“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything 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. | 15I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. |
| 16I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. | 16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. |
| 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. | 17“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. |
| 18While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. | 18My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. |
| 19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. | 19But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to 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, | 20Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, |
| 21other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, 'Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" | 21except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’” |
| 22Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." | 22At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the 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 an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of 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. | 24A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them 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 he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” |
| 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. | 26He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often 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 went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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