My defenseto thosewho examineme is this:
"Whenthey bringyou beforethe synagoguesand the rulersand the authorities,do not worryabout howorwhatyou are to speak in your defense,orwhatyou are to say;
"Brethrenand fathers,hearmy defensewhich I now[offer] to you."
"I answeredthem that it is not the customof the Romansto handover anymanbeforethe accusedmeetshis accusersface to faceand hasan opportunityto make his defenseagainstthe charges.
Ifanyonethinkshe is a prophetorspiritual,let him recognizethat the things whichI writeto you are the Lord'scommandment.
Ifto othersI amnot an apostle,at leastI amto you; for you are the sealof my apostleshipin the Lord.
Do we not havea rightto eatand drink?
For thisreasonI am writingthese thingswhile absent,sothat when presentI [need] not useseverity,in accordancewith the authoritywhichthe Lordgaveme for buildingup and not for tearing down.
sinceyou are seekingfor proofof the Christwho speaksin me, and whois not weaktowardyou, but mightyin you.
Testyourselves[to see] ifyou are in the faith;examineyourselves!Ordo you not recognizethis about yourselves,that JesusChristis in you-- unlessindeed you fail the test?
the formerproclaimChristout of selfish ambitionrather thanfrom pure motives,thinkingto causeme distressin my imprisonment.
For it is onlyrightfor me to feelthis wayaboutyou all,becauseI haveyou in my heart,since bothin my imprisonmentand in the defenseand confirmationof the gospel,you allare partakersof gracewith me.
At my firstdefenseno onesupportedme, but alldesertedme; may it not be countedagainst them.
