17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
18
They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.
19
The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people.
20
For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21
They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.