| NET Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. | 3We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. |
| 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. |
| 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 to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. |
| 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. | 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." |
| 8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing." | 8 |
| 9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 11As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11You can verify for yourself that it is no 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, | 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. |
| 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. | 13Neither can they prove the charges they are now making 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. | 16I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. |
| 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings, | 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. |
| 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. | 18While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. |
| 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. | 19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if 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 let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, |
| 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 statement I shouted while standing among them, 'Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" |
| 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." | 22Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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 was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite 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. | 27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison. |
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