| English Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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, | 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. |
| 3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. | 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. |
| 4But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. | 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. |
| 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. | 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 profane the temple, but we seized him. | 6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
| 8By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” | 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” |
| 9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so. | 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true. |
| 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. | 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 that it is not 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. |
| 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. | 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 to you what they now bring up against me. | 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me. |
| 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, | 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, |
| 15having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. | 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. |
| 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. | 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. |
| 17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. | 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. |
| 18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— | 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 |
| 19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. | 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. |
| 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, | 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, |
| 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.’” | 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.’ ” |
| 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.” | 22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” |
| 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. | 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 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 hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him 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. |
| 27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix 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. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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