| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Five days later, the high priest Ananias arrived with certain elders and Tertullus, an attorney, and they summarized their case against Paul before the governor. | 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 summoned, Tertullus opened the prosecution by saying: "Your Excellency Felix, since we are enjoying lasting peace because of you, and since reforms for this nation are being brought about through your foresight, | 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. |
| 3we always and everywhere acknowledge it with profound gratitude. | 3Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. |
| 4But so as not to detain you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. | 4But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. |
| 5For we have found this man a perfect pest and an agitator among all Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader in 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 even tried to profane the Temple, but we arrested him. | 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. |
| 8By examining him for yourself, you will be able to find out from him everything of which we accuse 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 Jewish leaders supported his accusations by asserting that these things 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 replied: "Since I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present 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 I went up to worship in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago. | 11As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. |
| 12They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout 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, |
| 13and they cannot prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me. | 13nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing. |
| 14However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and 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. |
| 15I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish—that there is to be a resurrection of 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. |
| 16Therefore, I always do my best to have a clear conscience before God and people. | 16This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people. |
| 17After many years, I have come back to my people to bring gifts for the poor and to offer sacrifices. | 17After several years I came to bring to my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings, |
| 18They found me in the Temple doing these things just as I had completed the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present. | 18which I was doing when they found me in the temple, ritually purified, without a crowd or a disturbance. |
| 19But some Jews from Asia were there, and they should be here before you to accuse me 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, these men themselves should tell what wrong they found when I stood before the Council — | 20Or these men here should tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the council, |
| 21unless it is for the one thing I shouted as I stood among them: 'It is for 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.'" |
| 22Felix was rather well informed about the Way, and so he adjourned the trial with the comment, "When Tribune Lysias arrives, I'll 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 guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and not to keep any of his friends from caring for 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. |
| 24Some days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Jesus the Messiah. | 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 talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." | 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 to receive a bribe from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk 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. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he 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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