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.