5
We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.
6
Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.
8
You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.”
9
Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.
10
The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.
11
You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.
12
My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.
13
These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
14
“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.
15
I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.
[a].
Some manuscripts add an expanded conclusion to verse 6, all of verse 7, and an additional phrase in verse 8: We would have judged him by our law, but Lysias, the commander of the garrison, came and violently took him away from us, commanding his accusers to come before you.