New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.
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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.
2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: "Your Excellency, because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight.
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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,
3 We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude.
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In all things and in all places we are conscious of our great debt to you, most noble Felix.
4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.
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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.
5 We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
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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:
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and so we seized him.
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Who, in addition, was attempting to make the Temple unclean: whom we took,
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8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him."
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And from whom you will be able, by questioning him yourself, to get knowledge of all the things which we say against him.
9 The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.
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And the Jews were in agreement with his statement, saying that these things were so.
10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: "I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation.
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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:
11 As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
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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;
12 They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.
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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:
13 Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.
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And they are not able to give facts in support of the things which they say against me now.
14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.
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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:
15 I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
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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.
16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.
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And in this, I do my best at all times to have no reason for shame before God or men.
17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices.
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Now after a number of years I came to give help and offerings to my nation:
18 While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance.
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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,
19 But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.
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And it would have been better if they had come here to make a statement, if they have anything against me.
20 Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council,
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Or let these men here present say what wrongdoing was seen in me when I was before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, "It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.' "
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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.
22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case."
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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.
23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.
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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.
24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus.
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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.
25 And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you."
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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.
26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.
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For he was hoping that Paul would give him money: so he sent for him more frequently and had talk with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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But after two years Porcius Festus took the place of Felix, who, desiring to have the approval of the Jews, kept Paul in chains.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.