| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard 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. | 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. |
| 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 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, |
| 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 utmost gratitude. |
| 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. | 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 a plague, a creator of dissension 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 profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. | 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him and wanted to judge him according to our law. |
| 7But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, | 7But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, |
| 8commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” | 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." |
| 9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. | 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging 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 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. |
| 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since 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. |
| 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in 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 the things of which they now accuse me. | 13Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring 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. | 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 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 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 being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. | 16I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men. |
| 17“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, | 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation, |
| 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. | 18and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. |
| 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. | 19It is they who ought to be here before you to 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, | 20Either let these men here state what wrongdoing 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.’ ” | 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.'" |
| 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.” | 22Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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.” | 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." |
| 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 also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed 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 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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