1 ¶ And after five days Ananias, the prince of the priests, descended with the elders and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

After 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.

2 A nd when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great peace and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy prudence,

After 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,

3 w e accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 N otwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou would hear us of thy clemency a few words.

But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

5 F or we have found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world and prince of the seditious sect of the Nazarenes,

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.

6 w ho also has gone about to profane the temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law.

And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. '> We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.

7 B ut the tribunal Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,

8 c ommanding his accusers to come unto thee; by examining of whom thou may take knowledge of all these things, of which we accuse him.

ordering 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.”

9 A nd the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 ¶ Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself;

When 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,

11 b ecause thou art able to understand that there have been but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 A nd they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city,

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.

13 n either can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.

14 B ut this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call a sect, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets,

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;

15 a nd have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

16 A nd for this reason do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men.

In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

17 N ow after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings.

Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;

18 W hereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult,

in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia—

19 w ho ought to have been here before thee and object if they had anything against me.

who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.

20 O r else let these same here say if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,

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

other 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.’”

22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, he deferred them, saying, I shall have more information regarding that way, when Lysias the tribunal shall come down, Then I will know the uttermost of your matter.

But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

23 A nd he commanded a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his own to minister or come unto him.

Then 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.

24 A nd after certain days when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard of him the faith which is in Christ.

But 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.

25 A nd as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go away for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

But 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.”

26 H e hoped also that money should have been given him from Paul, that he might loose him; therefore he sent for him many times and communed with him.

At 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.

27 B ut after two years Felix received Porcius Festus as successor; and Felix, wanting to win the grace of the Jews, left Paul bound.

But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.