¹⁷ Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Kinsmen, though I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our fathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸ After they had interrogated me, they were ready to release me because I was not guilty of any offense deserving death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews objected [to my release], I was forced to appeal to Caesar (Emperor Nero), not because I had any charge to make against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel (the Messiah, the resurrection) that I am bound with this chain.” ²¹ They said to him, “We have not received [any] letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the [Jewish] brothers come here and reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we would like to hear from you what your views are [that is, exactly what you believe]; for in regard to this sect (Christianity), we are fully aware that it is denounced everywhere.”

²³ When they had set a day for Paul, they came to his lodging in large numbers. And he carefully explained [Christianity] to them from morning until evening, solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the [writings of the] Prophets. ²⁴ Some were persuaded by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and they began to leave after Paul had made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, ²⁶ ‘Go to this people and say,

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that [this message of] the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they indeed will listen!”^{(B) 29 [a]}[And when he had said these things, the Jews left, arguing among themselves.]