Acts 24:10-21 ▼

10 And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,

11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself.

13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

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

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

16 In view of this I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.

17 Now after several years I came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings,

18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia—

19 who ought to have been present before you and to have been bringing charges, if they should have anything against me.

20 Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before the Council,

21 other than in regard to this one declaration which I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”