| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. | 3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. |
| 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. | 4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. |
| 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"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 |
| 6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. | 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
| 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” | 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." |
| 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true. | 9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting 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 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. |
| 11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11You can easily verify 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. | 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. |
| 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me. | 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against 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, | 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, |
| 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. | 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. |
| 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. | 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. |
| 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. | 17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring 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 | 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. |
| 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 ought to 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 who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- |
| 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.’ ” | 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.'" |
| 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 was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "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 keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of 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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 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." |
| 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 hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently 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. | 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. |
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