The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 Within five days, the Chief Priest Ananias arrived with a contingent of leaders, along with Tertullus, a trial lawyer. They presented the governor with their case against Paul.
1
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.
2 When Paul was called before the court, Tertullus spoke for the prosecution: "Most Honorable Felix, we are most grateful in all times and places for your wise and gentle rule.
2
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 unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We are much aware that it is because of you and you alone that we enjoy all this peace and gain daily profit from your reforms.
3
We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 I'm not going to tire you out with a long speech. I beg your kind indulgence in listening to me. I'll be quite brief.
4
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 "We've found this man time and again disturbing the peace, stirring up riots against Jews all over the world, the ringleader of a seditious sect called Nazarenes.
5
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 He's a real bad apple, I must say. We caught him trying to defile our holy Temple and arrested him.
6
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
8 You'll be able to verify all these accusations when you examine him yourself."
8
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 The Jews joined in: "Hear, hear! That's right!"
9
And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 The governor motioned to Paul that it was now his turn. Paul said, "I count myself fortunate to be defending myself before you, Governor, knowing how fair-minded you've been in judging us all these years.
10
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 I've been back in the country only twelve days - you can check out these dates easily enough. I came with the express purpose of worshiping in Jerusalem on Pentecost, and I've been minding my own business the whole time.
11
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 Nobody can say they saw me arguing in the Temple or working up a crowd in the streets.
12
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Not one of their charges can be backed up with evidence or witnesses.
13
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 "But I do freely admit this: In regard to the Way, which they malign as a dead-end street, I serve and worship the very same God served and worshiped by all our ancestors and embrace everything written in all our Scriptures.
14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And I admit to living in hopeful anticipation that God will raise the dead, both the good and the bad. If that's my crime, my accusers are just as guilty as I am.
15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 "Believe me, I do my level best to keep a clear conscience before God and my neighbors in everything I do.
16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17 I've been out of the country for a number of years and now I'm back. While I was away, I took up a collection for the poor and brought that with me, along with offerings for the Temple.
17
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 It was while making those offerings that they found me quietly at my prayers in the Temple. There was no crowd, there was no disturbance.
18
Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 It was some Jews from around Ephesus who started all this trouble. And you'll notice they're not here today. They're cowards, too cowardly to accuse me in front of you.
19
Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 "So ask these others what crime they've caught me in. Don't let them hide behind this smooth-talking Tertullus.
20
Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 The only thing they have on me is that one sentence I shouted out in the council: 'It's because I believe in the resurrection that I've been hauled into this court!' Does that sound to you like grounds for a criminal case?"
21
Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 Felix shilly-shallied. He knew far more about the Way than he let on, and could have settled the case then and there. But uncertain of his best move politically, he played for time. "When Captain Lysias comes down, I'll decide your case."
22
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.
23 He gave orders to the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to more or less give him the run of the place and not prevent his friends from helping him.
23
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 unto him.
24 A few days later Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and listened to him talk about a life of believing in Jesus Christ.
24
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and his people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming Judgment, Felix felt things getting a little too close for comfort and dismissed him. "That's enough for today. I'll call you back when it's convenient."
25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 At the same time he was secretly hoping that Paul would offer him a substantial bribe. These conversations were repeated frequently.
26
He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Still playing up to the Jews and ignoring justice, Felix left Paul in prison.
27
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.