| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 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 and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. | 3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. |
| 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. | 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. |
| 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, | 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. |
| 6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. | 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. |
| 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges 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." |
| 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true. | 9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. |
| 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 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. |
| 11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11As you can verify for yourself, not 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. | 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, |
| 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me. | 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. |
| 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, | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. | 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. |
| 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. | 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor 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 | 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. |
| 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. | 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. |
| 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, | 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of 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 this one thing I shouted out while I stood before them: 'I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" |
| 22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” | 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." |
| 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 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." |
| 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 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. |
| 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. | 27After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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