Tertullus Prosecutes Paul 1 ULT And after five days, Ananias, the high priest, with certain elders and a certain orator, Tertullus, came down, who appeared to the governor against Paul. 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 ULT And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,“As we are obtaining great peace through you, and as reforms are happening for this people through your foresight 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 ULT both in every way and everywhere, we receive{ these things}, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. BSB BSB: In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4 ULT But so that I may not detain you further, I ask you to listen to us briefly in your fairness. BSB BSB: But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5 ULT For having found this man a pest and one inciting rebellion among all the Jews throughout the world and a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 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 ULT who even tried to desecrate the temple, whom also we arrested;[and we wanted to judge him according to our law, BSB BSB: and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7 ULT but Lysias, the chiliarch, coming with much force, took him away from our hands, BSB BSB: Not in the BSB
8 ULT commanding his accusers to come to you;] from whom, having inquired about all these things, you yourself will be able to learn of what things we are accusing him.” BSB BSB: By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9 ULT And the Jews also agreed, affirming these things to be thus. BSB BSB: The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
Paul’s Defense to Felix 10 ULT And Paul answered, the governor having motioned for him to speak,“Knowing you to have been a judge to this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense about the things concerning me, 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 ULT you being able to learn that it is not more than 12 days for me from when I went up to Jerusalem to worship, BSB BSB: You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 ULT and they found me neither in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rebellion of the crowd, not in the synagogues, and not throughout 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 ULT and they are not able to prove{ the things} to you about which they are now accusing me. BSB BSB: Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 ULT But I confess this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, thus I serve the fathers’ God, being faithful to all the things according to the law and the things written in 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 ULT having a hope in God that these themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 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 ULT In this I myself also strive to have a blameless conscience before God and men continually. BSB BSB: In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 ULT Now after many years I came to my nation bringing alms and offerings, BSB BSB: After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 ULT in which they found me in the temple, having been cleansed, not with a crowd, nor with 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 ULT But certain Jews from Asia— who ought to be present before you and make accusations if they have anything against me. BSB BSB: who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 ULT Or let these themselves say what wrong they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin, BSB BSB: Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 ULT { other} than regarding this one utterance that I shouted out standing among them,‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by 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 ULT Then Felix, knowing more accurately the things concerning the Way, adjourned them, saying,“When Lysias the chiliarch may come down, I will decide the things concerning you,” 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 ULT commanding the centurion to guard him and for him to have freedom and to forbid none of his own to minister to him. 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 ULT But after some days Felix, returning with Drusilla, his own wife, being a Jewess, summoned Paul and heard him concerning the 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 ULT But as he was reasoning about righteousness and self- control and the coming judgment, Felix, becoming frightened, answered,“Go away for now, but having found time, I will summon 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 ULT also hoping at the same time that money would be given to him by Paul, and therefore summoning him often, he was speaking 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 ULT But two years being fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, and wanting to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. 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.