Tertullus Prosecutes Paul 1 UEB After five days, Ananias the chief priest, certain elders, and an orator named Tertullus went there. These men brought charges against Paul before the governor. 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 UEB When Paul stood before the governor, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor, "Because of you we have great peace, and your foresight brings good reform to our 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 UEB so with all thankfulness we welcome everything that you do, most excellent Felix. BSB BSB: In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4 UEB So that I detain you no more, I ask you to briefly listen to me with kindness. BSB BSB: But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5 UEB For we have found this man to be a pest and one who causes all the Jews throughout the world to rebel. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect. 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 UEB He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. BSB BSB: and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
8 UEB When you question Paul about all these matters, you will be able to learn about these charges we are bringing against him." BSB BSB: By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9 UEB The Jews also joined in the accusation, affirming that these charges were true. BSB BSB: The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
Paul’s Defense to Felix 10 UEB But when the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul answered, "I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, and so I gladly explain myself to you. 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 UEB You will be able to find out that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. BSB BSB: You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 UEB When they found me in the temple, I did not argue with anyone, and I did not stir up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. 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 UEB They cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. BSB BSB: Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 UEB But I admit this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, in that same way I serve the God of our fathers. I am faithful to all that is in the law and the writings of the prophets. 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 UEB I have the same confident hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the 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 UEB So I always strive to have a clear conscience before God and human beings. BSB BSB: In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 UEB Now after many years I came to bring help to my nation and gifts of money. BSB BSB: After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 UEB When I did this, certain Jews from Asia found me in a purification ceremony in the temple, not with a crowd or an uproar. 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 UEB These men ought to be before you now and say what they have against me, if they have anything. BSB BSB: who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 UEB Or else, these same men should say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Jewish council, BSB BSB: Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 UEB unless it is about this one thing that I shouted out when I stood among them, 'It is concerning the resurrection of those who have died that I am on trial before you today.'" 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 UEB Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, ajourned the hearing. He said, "When Lysias the commander comes down from Jerusalem, I will decide your 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 UEB Then he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept under guard, but to have some freedom so that none of his friends would be prevented from attending to his needs. 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 UEB After some days, Felix returned with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and he heard from him about faith in Christ Jesus. 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 UEB But when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now. But when I have the opportunity later on, I will send for you." 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 UEB At the same time he wanted Paul to give money to him, so he often sent for him and spoke with him. 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 UEB But when two years passed, Porcius Festus became the governor after Felix, but Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul to continue under guard. 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.