| Berean Study Bible | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 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. | 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 called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to 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, |
| 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. | 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. |
| 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence 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. |
| 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, | 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 he 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 our charges 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 Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. |
| 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. | 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 verify for yourself 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. |
| 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. | 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 any of their charges against me. | 13"Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. |
| 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, | 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 that they themselves cherish, 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. |
| 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience 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. |
| 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. | 17"Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; |
| 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 | 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia-- |
| 19who ought to appear 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. |
| 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any 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 called out 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 informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, 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 allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to 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. |
| 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. | 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 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.” | 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 Paul 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. |
| 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing 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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