Tertullus Prosecutes Paul 1 WBS And after five days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed 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 WBS And 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 to this nation by thy providence, 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 WBS We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. BSB BSB: In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4 WBS Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldst of thy clemency hear us a few words. BSB BSB: But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5 WBS For we have found this a pestilent man, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-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 WBS Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. BSB BSB: and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7 WBS But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, BSB BSB: Not in the BSB
8 WBS Commanding his accusers to come to thee: by examining whom, thou thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him. BSB BSB: By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9 WBS And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so. BSB BSB: The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
Paul’s Defense to Felix 10 WBS Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 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 WBS That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since 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 WBS And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither exciting the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor 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 WBS Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. BSB BSB: Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 WBS But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and 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 WBS And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 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 WBS And in this I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards men. BSB BSB: In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 WBS Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. BSB BSB: After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 WBS Upon which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 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 WBS Who ought to have been here before thee, and object if they had aught against me. BSB BSB: who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 WBS Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil-doing in me, while I stood before the council, BSB BSB: Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 WBS Except it is for this one voice, that I cried, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 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 WBS And 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. 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 WBS And 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 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 WBS And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in 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 WBS And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, depart for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 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 WBS He hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed 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 WBS But after two years Porcius Festus came as successor to Felix: and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, 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.