| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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, | 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. |
| 3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. | 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. |
| 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. | 4But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. |
| 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. | 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, |
| 6He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. | 6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
| 7But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, | 7 |
| 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” | 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” |
| 9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. | 9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true. |
| 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 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. |
| 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. | 11You can verify for yourself 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. | 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. |
| 13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. | 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against 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. | 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, |
| 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. | 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. |
| 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. | 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. |
| 17“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, | 17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people 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. | 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 |
| 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. | 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they 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, | 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, |
| 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.’ ” | 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.’ ” |
| 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.” | 22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, 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. | 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 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.” |
| 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, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him. |
| 27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound. | 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. |
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