10
The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul responded, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years. So I'm pleased to present my case to you.
11
You can verify for yourself that I went to Jerusalem to worship no more than twelve days ago.
12
No one found me having a discussion with anyone in the temple courtyard or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues throughout the city.
13
These people cannot even prove their accusations to you.
14
But I'll admit to you that I'm a follower of the way [of Christ], which they call a sect. This means that I serve our ancestors' God and believe everything written in Moses' Teachings and the Prophets.
15
I hope for the same thing my accusers do, that people with God's approval and those without it will come back to life.
16
With this belief I always do my best to have a clear conscience in the sight of God and people.
17
After many years I have come back to my people and brought gifts for the poor and offerings [for God].
18
My accusers found me in the temple courtyard doing these things after I had gone through the purification ceremony. No crowd or noisy mob was present.
19
But some Jews from the province of Asia were there. They should be here in front of you to accuse me if they have anything against me.
20
Otherwise, these men who are accusing me should tell what I was charged with when I stood in front of their council.
21
They could accuse me of only one thing. As I stood among them, I shouted, 'I'm being tried in front of you because [I believe that] the dead will come back to life.'"