¹⁰ When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, ¹¹ seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. ¹² In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; ¹⁵ having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. ¹⁶ In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. ¹⁷ Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; ¹⁸ amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. ¹⁹ They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, ²¹ unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

²² But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.