| New King James Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor 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. |
| 2And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, | 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, |
| 3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. | 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. |
| 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. | 4"But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. |
| 5For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and 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. |
| 6He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. | 6"And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. |
| 7But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, | 7"But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, |
| 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse 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." |
| 9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. |
| 10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, | 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, |
| 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since 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. |
| 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either 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 the things of which they now accuse me. | 13"Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. |
| 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and 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; |
| 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. | 15having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. |
| 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. | 16"In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. |
| 17“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, | 17"Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; |
| 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. | 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia-- |
| 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. | 19who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. |
| 20Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, | 20"Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, |
| 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” | 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.'" |
| 22But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on 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." |
| 23So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. | 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. |
| 24And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. | 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. |
| 25Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient 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." |
| 26Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed 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. |
| 27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound. | 27But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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