| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 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. | 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 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 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. |
| 3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. | 3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. |
| 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. |
| 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. | 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 |
| 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. | 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
| 8When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing." | 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." |
| 9The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. | 9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. |
| 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 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. |
| 11As you can verify for yourself, not 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. |
| 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, | 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 the things they are accusing me of doing. | 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making 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. | 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, |
| 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 the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
| 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. | 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. |
| 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor 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. |
| 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council, | 20Or these who are here should state what crime 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.'" | 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 understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, 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 guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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." | 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 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 hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked 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. | 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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