| New International Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before 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 was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. | 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, |
| 3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. | 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. |
| 4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. | 4"But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. |
| 5"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect | 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. |
| 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized 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, |
| 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." | 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 other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. |
| 10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly 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, |
| 11You can easily verify that no 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. |
| 12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in 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. |
| 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. | 13"Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. |
| 14However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with 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; |
| 15and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. | 15having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
| 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. | 16"In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. |
| 17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring 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; |
| 18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any 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 ought to 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 who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- | 20"Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, |
| 21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" | 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 was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "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 keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of 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. |
| 24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke 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. |
| 25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, 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 hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently 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. |
| 27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he 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. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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