New Living Translation (NLT)
Acts 24
10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.
11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.
12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.
13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.
15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.
16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.
18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting.
19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me!
20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of,
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