Acts 24:10-21 ▼

10 When the governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered, “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I make my defense cheerfully and with good courage.

11 As you can easily verify, it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or causing a crowd to gather.

13 Nor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me.

14 But I confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a [divisive and heretical] sect, I do worship and serve the God of our fathers, [confidently] believing everything that is in accordance with the Law [of Moses] and that is written in the Prophets;

15 having [the same] hope in God which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked.

16 In view of this, I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men.

17 Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring to my people charitable contributions and offerings.

18 They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone [the rites of] purification, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor],

19 who ought to have been here before you to present their charges, if they have anything against me.

20 Or else let these men tell what crime they found [me guilty of] when I stood before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court),

21 other than for this one statement which I had shouted out as I stood among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”