1 A nd after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain forensic advocate Tertullus. They presented to the governor their evidence against Paul.

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

And when he was called, Tertullus began the complaint by saying: Since through you we obtain and enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight and provision wonderful reforms (amendments and improvements) are introduced and effected on behalf of this nation,

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

In every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we accept and acknowledge this with deep appreciation and with all gratitude.

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

But not to hinder or detain you too long, I beg you in your clemency and courtesy and kindness to grant us a brief and concise 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 a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

For we have found this man a perfect pest (a real plague), an agitator and source of disturbance to all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the '> division-producing] sect of the Nazarenes.

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

He also tried to desecrate and defile the temple, but we laid hands on him and would have sentenced him by our Law,

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

But the commandant Lysias came and took him from us with violence and force,

8 C ommanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

And ordered his accusers to present themselves to you. By examining and cross-questioning him yourself, you will be able to ascertain the truth from him about all these things with which we charge him.

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

The Jews also agreed and joined in the accusation, declaring that all these things were exactly so.

10 T hen Paul, after that 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:

And when the governor had beckoned to Paul to speak, he answered: Because I know that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I find it easier to make my defense and do it cheerfully and with good courage.

11 B ecause that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

As you can readily verify, it is not more than twelve days since 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:

And neither in the temple nor in the synagogues nor in the city did they find me disputing with anybody or bringing together a seditious crowd.

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

Neither can they present argument or evidence to prove to you what they now bring against me.

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

But this I confess to you, however, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I worship (serve) the God of our fathers, still persuaded of the truth of and believing in and placing full confidence in everything laid down in the Law or 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 hope in God which these themselves hold and look for, that there is to be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous (the just and the unjust).

16 A nd herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

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

Now after several years I came up to bring to my people contributions of charity and offerings.

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

While I was engaged in presenting these, they found me in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. But some Jews from Asia,

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

Who ought to be here before you and to present their charges, if they 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 of what crime or wrongdoing they found me guilty when I appeared before the council (Sanhedrin),

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 by you this day.

Unless it be this one sentence which I cried out as I stood among them, In regard to the resurrection of the dead I am indicted and on trial before you this day!

22 A nd when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

But Felix, having a rather accurate understanding of the Way, put them off and adjourned the trial, saying, When Lysias the commandant comes down, I will determine your case more fully.

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

Then he ordered the centurion to keep in custody, but to treat him with indulgence and not to hinder his friends from ministering to his needs and serving him.

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

Some days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and listened to him about faith in Christ Jesus.

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

But as he continued to argue about uprightness, purity of life (the control of the passions), and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and terrified and said, Go away for the present; when I have a convenient opportunity, I will send for you.

26 H e hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

At the same time he hoped to get money from Paul, for which reason he continued to send for him and was in his company and conversed with him often.

27 B ut after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

But when two years had gone by, Felix was succeeded in office by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul still a prisoner in chains.