Tertullus Prosecutes Paul 1 UDB Five days later, Ananias the high priest went down there from Jerusalem along with some other Jewish elders and a speechmaker whose name was Tertullus. There they told the governor what Paul had done that they thought was wrong. BSB BSB: Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2 UDB The governor commanded Paul to be brought in. When Paul arrived, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to the governor, "Honorable Governor Felix, during the many years that you have ruled us, we have lived well. By planning wisely, you have improved many things in this nation. BSB BSB: When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
3 UDB Therefore, Governor Felix, we always thank you for everything that you have done for all of us, wherever you have done those things. BSB BSB: In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4 UDB But, so that I will not take up too much of your time, I ask that you kindly listen to what I have to say. BSB BSB: But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5 UDB We have observed that this man, wherever he goes, causes trouble with the Jews. He also leads the entire group whom people call the followers of the Nazarene. BSB BSB: We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6 UDB He even tried to do things in the temple in Jerusalem that would pollute it, so we arrested him. BSB BSB: and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
8 UDB If you question him yourself, you will be able to learn that all these things about which we are accusing him are true." BSB BSB: By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9 UDB Then the Jewish leaders there told the governor that what Tertullus had said was true. BSB BSB: The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
Paul’s Defense to Felix 10 UDB Then the governor motioned with his hand to Paul that he should speak. So Paul replied and said, "Governor Felix, I know that you have judged this Jewish nation for many years. Therefore I gladly defend myself. I know that you will listen to me and will judge me fairly. BSB BSB: When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11 UDB You know that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship God. BSB BSB: You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 UDB No one can say that they saw me arguing with anyone in the temple courts, because I did not do that. No one can say that they saw me causing people to riot in any Jewish synagogue or causing trouble anywhere else in Jerusalem, because I did not do that. BSB BSB: Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13 UDB So they cannot prove to you the things about which they are now accusing me. BSB BSB: Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 UDB But I admit to you that this is true: I do worship the God that our ancestors worshiped. It is true that I follow the way that Jesus taught us. I also believe everything that Moses wrote in the laws that God gave him and everything that the other prophets wrote in their books. BSB BSB: I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15 UDB I believe, just like these men also believe, that God will cause everyone who has died to become alive again, both those who were good and those who were wicked. BSB BSB: and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 UDB Because I believe that day will come, I always try to do what pleases God and what other people think is right. BSB BSB: In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 UDB After I had been in other places for several years, I returned to Jerusalem to bring some money to my fellow Jews who are poor. BSB BSB: After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 UDB Some Jews from Asia saw me in the temple courts after I had completed the ritual that allows one to worship God. There was no crowd with me, and I was not causing people to riot. BSB BSB: At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19 UDB But it was those Jews who caused the people to riot. They should be here in front of you to accuse me, if they think that I did something wrong. BSB BSB: who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 UDB But if they do not want to do that, these Jewish men who are here should tell you what they think I did that was wrong when I defended myself in their council. BSB BSB: Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 UDB They might say that I did something wrong when I shouted, 'You are judging me today because I believe that God will cause all people who have died to become alive again.'" BSB BSB: unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
The Verdict Postponed 22 UDB Felix already knew much about what people called the Way, and so he stopped the trial. He said to them, "Later, when Commander Lysias comes down here, I will decide this case." BSB BSB: Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23 UDB Then he told the officer who was guarding Paul to take Paul back to the prison and make sure that Paul was guarded all the time. But he said that Paul was not to be chained, and if his friends came to visit him, the officer should allow them to help Paul in any way that they wanted to. BSB BSB: He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24 UDB Several days later, Felix came back with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew, and called for Paul to speak with him. Felix listened to what Paul said to him about trusting in Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 UDB Paul talked to him about what God wants people to do in order to please him. He also explained how people should control how they act and that there would be a time when God will judge all people. Felix became afraid after hearing those things, so he said to Paul, "That is all I want to hear now. When I have time, I will ask you to come to me again." BSB BSB: As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
26 UDB Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money, so he sent for Paul to come to him many times. Paul talked with Felix many times, but he did not give Felix any money, and Felix did not tell his soldiers to release Paul from prison. BSB BSB: At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27 UDB When two years had passed, Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. Felix let Paul remain in prison because he wanted to please the Jewish leaders. BSB BSB: After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.