¹⁶ I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man [for punishment] before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges. ¹⁷ So after they arrived together here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my place on the tribunal and ordered that the man be brought before me. ¹⁸ When his accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of crimes that I was expecting [neither civil nor criminal actions],