while Paulsaid in his own defense,"I have committednooffenseeitheragainstthe Lawof the Jewsoragainstthe templeoragainstCaesar."
AfterthreedaysPaul called togetherthosewho were the leading menof the Jews,and when they came together,he [began] sayingto them, "Brethren,though I had donenothingagainstour peopleorthe customsof our fathers,yet I was deliveredas a prisonerfrom Jerusaleminto the handsof the Romans.
"Neitherin the temple,norin the synagogues,norin the city[itself] did they findme carrying on a discussionwith anyoneorcausinga riot.
For our proud confidenceis this:the testimonyof our conscience,that in holinessand godlysincerity,not in fleshlywisdombut in the graceof God,we have conductedourselves in the world,and especiallytowardyou.
They saidto him, "We have neitherreceivedlettersfrom Judeaconcerningyou, norhave anyof the brethrencome hereand reportedorspokenanythingbadaboutyou.
Moreover Jeremiahsaidto KingZedekiah,"[In] what[way] have I sinnedagainst you, or against your servants,or against thispeople,that you have putme in prison?
But Paulsaid,"I amstandingbeforeCaesar'stribunal,whereI oughtto be tried.I have donenowrongto [the] Jews,as you alsovery wellknow.
"And he eventriedto desecratethe temple;and thenwe arrestedhim. [We wantedto judgehim accordingto our own Law.
Paul,looking intentlyat the Council,said,"Brethren,I have lived my lifewith a perfectlygoodconsciencebefore Godup to thisday."
"My GodsentHis angeland shutthe lions'mouthsand they have not harmedme, inasmuchas I was foundinnocentbeforeHim; and alsotowardyou, O king,I have committednocrime."
"For I was in factkidnappedfrom the landof the Hebrews,and evenhereI have donenothingthat they should have putme into the dungeon."
"But thisI admitto you, that accordingto the Waywhichthey calla sectI do servethe Godof our fathers,believingeverythingthat is in accordancewith the Lawand that is writtenin the Prophets;
