The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came with certain of the rulers, and an expert talker, one Tertullus; and they made a statement to Felix against Paul.
1
Five days later the High Priest Ananias went to Caesarea with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They appeared before Governor Felix and made their charges against Paul.
2 And when he had been sent for, Tertullus, starting his statement, said, Because by you we are living in peace, and through your wisdom wrongs are put right for this nation,
2
Then Paul was called in, and Tertullus began to make his accusation, as follows: "Your Excellency! Your wise leadership has brought us a long period of peace, and many necessary reforms are being made for the good of our country.
3 In all things and in all places we are conscious of our great debt to you, most noble Felix.
3
We welcome this everywhere and at all times, and we are deeply grateful to you.
4 But, so that I may not make you tired, I make a request to you of your mercy, to give hearing to a short statement.
4
I do not want to take up too much of your time, however, so I beg you to be kind and listen to our brief account.
5 For this man, in our opinion, is a cause of trouble, a maker of attacks on the government among Jews through all the empire, and a chief mover in the society of the Nazarenes:
5
We found this man to be a dangerous nuisance; he starts riots among Jews all over the world and is a leader of the party of the Nazarenes.
6 Who, in addition, was attempting to make the Temple unclean: whom we took,
6
He also tried to defile the Temple, and we arrested him.
7 []
8 And from whom you will be able, by questioning him yourself, to get knowledge of all the things which we say against him.
8
If you question this man, you yourself will be able to learn from him all the things that we are accusing him of."
9 And the Jews were in agreement with his statement, saying that these things were so.
9
The Jews joined in the accusation and said that all this was true.
10 Then when the ruler had given him a sign to make his answer, Paul said, Because I have knowledge that you have been a judge over this nation for a number of years, I am glad to make my answer:
10
The governor then motioned to Paul to speak, and Paul said, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, and so I am happy to defend myself before you.
11 Seeing that you are able to make certain of the fact that it is not more than twelve days from the time when I came up to Jerusalem for worship;
11
As you can find out for yourself, it was no more than twelve days ago that I went to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they have not seen me in argument with any man in the Temple, or working up the feelings of the people, in the Synagogues or in the town:
12
The Jews did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor did they find me stirring up the people, either in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.
13 And they are not able to give facts in support of the things which they say against me now.
13
Nor can they give you proof of the accusations they now bring against me.
14 But this I will say openly to you, that I do give worship to the God of our fathers after that Way, which to them is not the true religion: but I have belief in all the things which are in the law and in the books of the prophets:
14
I do admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors by following that Way which they say is false. But I also believe in everything written in the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets.
15 Hoping in God for that which they themselves are looking for, that there will be a coming back from the dead for upright men and wrongdoers.
15
I have the same hope in God that these themselves have, namely, that all people, both the good and the bad, will rise from death.
16 And in this, I do my best at all times to have no reason for shame before God or men.
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And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and people.
17 Now after a number of years I came to give help and offerings to my nation:
17
"After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I went there to take some money to my own people and to offer sacrifices.
18 And having been made clean, I was in the Temple, but not with a great number of people, and not with noise: but there were certain Jews from Asia,
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It was while I was doing this that they found me in the Temple after I had completed the ceremony of purification. There was no crowd with me and no disorder.
19 And it would have been better if they had come here to make a statement, if they have anything against me.
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But some Jews from the province of Asia were there; they themselves ought to come before you and make their accusations if they have anything against me.
20 Or let these men here present say what wrongdoing was seen in me when I was before the Sanhedrin,
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Or let these who are here tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the Council -
21 But only this one thing which I said among them in a loud voice, I am this day being judged on the question of the coming back from the dead.
21
except for the one thing I called out when I stood before them: "I am being tried by you today for believing that the dead will rise to life.' "
22 But Felix, who had a more detailed knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, When Lysias, the chief captain, comes down, I will give attention to your business.
22
Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, brought the hearing to a close. "When the commander Lysias arrives," he told them, "I will decide your case."
23 And he gave orders to the captain to keep Paul under his control, and to let him have everything he had need of; and not to keep his friends from coming to see him.
23
He ordered the officer in charge of Paul to keep him under guard, but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to provide for his needs.
24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was of the Jews by birth, and sent for Paul, and gave hearing to him about faith in Christ Jesus.
24
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he talked about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 And while he was talking about righteousness and self-control and the judging which was to come, Felix had great fear and said, Go away for the present, and when the right time comes I will send for you.
25
But as Paul went on discussing about goodness, self-control, and the coming Day of Judgment, Felix was afraid and said, "You may leave now. I will call you again when I get the chance."
26 For he was hoping that Paul would give him money: so he sent for him more frequently and had talk with him.
26
At the same time he was hoping that Paul would give him some money; and for this reason he would call for him often and talk with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus took the place of Felix, who, desiring to have the approval of the Jews, kept Paul in chains.
27
After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor. Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews so he left Paul in prison.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.