¹⁰ And when ^(A)the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, ¹¹ since you can take note of the fact that no more than ^(B)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ^12 (C)And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or ^(D)causing ^[a]a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself. ^13 (E)Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you, that in accordance with ^[b](F)the Way, which they call a ^(G)sect, I do serve ^(H)the God of our fathers, ^(I)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; ¹⁵ having a hope in God, which ^(J)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ In view of this ^(K)I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. ¹⁷ Now ^(L)after several years I ^(M)came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, ¹⁸ in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been ^(N)purified, without any ^(O)crowd or uproar. But there were some ^(P)Jews from ^[c]Asia— ¹⁹ who ought to have been present before you and to have been ^(Q)bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before ^(R)the ^[d]Council, ²¹ other than in regard to this one declaration which ^(S)I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”

²² But Felix, ^[e]having quite accurate knowledge about ^[f](T)the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He gave orders to the centurion for ^[g]Paul to be ^(U)kept in custody and yet ^(V)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of ^(W)his friends from providing for his needs.