while Paulsaid in his own defense,"I have committednooffenseeitheragainstthe Lawof the Jewsoragainstthe templeoragainstCaesar."
"For I was in factkidnappedfrom the landof the Hebrews,and evenhereI have donenothingthat they should have putme into the dungeon."
Moreover Jeremiahsaidto KingZedekiah,"[In] what[way] have I sinnedagainst you, or against your servants,or against thispeople,that you have putme in prison?
"My GodsentHis angeland shutthe lions'mouthsand they have not harmedme, inasmuchas I was foundinnocentbeforeHim; and alsotowardyou, O king,I have committednocrime."
Paul,looking intentlyat the Council,said,"Brethren,I have lived my lifewith a perfectlygoodconsciencebefore Godup to thisday."
"Neitherin the temple,norin the synagogues,norin the city[itself] did they findme carrying on a discussionwith anyoneorcausinga riot.
"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;
"And he eventriedto desecratethe temple;and thenwe arrestedhim. [We wantedto judgehim accordingto our own Law.
But Paulsaid,"I amstandingbeforeCaesar'stribunal,whereI oughtto be tried.I have donenowrongto [the] Jews,as you alsovery wellknow.
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.
They saidto him, "We have neitherreceivedlettersfrom Judeaconcerningyou, norhave anyof the brethrencome hereand reportedorspokenanythingbadaboutyou.
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.
