¹³ They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

⁸ Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.

⁵ We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. ⁶ Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.^[a]

²⁸ yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.^[a]”

¹³ The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.

¹⁵ But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.”

⁴ Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike.