1 A fter 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.

After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.

2 A fter 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,

When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,

3 w e acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

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

But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

5 F or 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.

For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

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

He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.

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

8 o rdering 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.”

By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

9 T he Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

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

10 W hen 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,

When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

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

seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

12 N either 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.

In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

13 N or can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.

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

14 B ut 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;

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

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

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

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

Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

17 N ow after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;

Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

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

amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

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

They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

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

Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

21 o ther 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.’”

unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

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

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”

23 T hen 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.

He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

24 B ut 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.

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

25 B ut 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.”

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

26 A t 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.

Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

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

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