| NET Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 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 Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. |
| 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. | 2When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: "Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, |
| 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 utmost gratitude. |
| 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us 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. | 5For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! |
| 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. | 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him and wanted to judge him according to our law. |
| 7 | 7But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, |
| 8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing." | 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of." |
| 9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging 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 motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. |
| 11As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. |
| 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, | 12They didn't find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. |
| 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. | 13Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against 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. | 14But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers' God according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and 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. | 15And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. |
| 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. | 16I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men. |
| 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings, | 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation, |
| 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. | 18and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. |
| 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. | 19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. |
| 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council, | 20Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, |
| 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.'" | 21or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, 'Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" |
| 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." | 22Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, 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. | 23He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving 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. | 24After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of 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." | 25Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I find time I'll call for 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 he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed 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. | 27After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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