¹⁷ After three days ^[a]Paul called together those who were ^(A)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “^(B)Brothers, ^(C)though I had done nothing against our people or ^(D)the customs of our ^[b]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. ¹⁸ And when they had ^(E)examined me, they ^(F)were willing to release me because there were ^(G)no grounds ^[c]for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews ^[d]objected, I was forced to ^(H)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason, therefore, I ^[e]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing ^(I)this chain for ^(J)the sake of the hope of Israel.” ²¹ They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of ^(K)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what ^[f]your views are; for regarding this ^(L)sect, it is known to us that ^(M)it is spoken against everywhere.”

²³ When they had set a day for ^[g]Paul, people came to him at ^(N)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly ^(O)testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, ^(P)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. ^24 (Q)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. ²⁵ And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, ²⁶ saying,

²⁸ Therefore, let it be known to you that ^(U)this salvation of God has been sent ^(V)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”^[l]