1 A nd after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.

Now 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.

2 A nd when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,

And 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,

3 w e accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 B ut, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.

Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.

5 F or we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

For 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.

6 w ho moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.

He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

7 B ut the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,

8 c ommanding his accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

9 A nd the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.

And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. The Defense Before Felix

10 A nd when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:

Then 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,

11 S eeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:

because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 a nd neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

13 N either can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

14 B ut this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

But 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.

15 h aving hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.

I 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.

16 H erein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 N ow after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:

“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,

18 a midst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia--

in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.

19 w ho ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.

20 O r else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,

Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,

21 e xcept it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.

unless 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.’” Felix Procrastinates

22 B ut Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.

But 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.”

23 A nd he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

So 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.

24 B ut after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

And 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.

25 A nd as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.

Now 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.”

26 H e hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

Meanwhile 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.

27 B ut when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.