| NET Bible | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 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. | 1After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor 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. | 2After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, |
| 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 all thankfulness. |
| 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4"But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, 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. | 5"For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. |
| 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. | 6"And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. |
| 7 | 7"But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, |
| 8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing." | 8ordering his accusers to come before you. By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things 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 attack, asserting that 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. | 10When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to 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. | 11since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
| 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, | 12"Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. |
| 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. | 13"Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse 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. | 14"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is 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 cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
| 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. | 16"In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. |
| 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings, | 17"Now 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. | 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were 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. | 19who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. |
| 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council, | 20"Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed 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 for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'" |
| 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 more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, 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. | 23Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. |
| 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. | 24But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and 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." | 25But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time 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 too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse 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. | 27But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. |
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