18 who intended to release me after they examined me, because they couldn’t find any reason for putting me to death.
19 When the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar. Don’t think I appealed to Caesar because I had any reason to bring charges against my nation.
20 This is why I asked to see you and speak with you: it’s because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."
21 They responded, "We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of our brothers come and reported or said anything bad about you.
22 But we think it’s important to hear what you think, for we know that people everywhere are speaking against this faction."
23 On the day scheduled for this purpose, many people came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he explained and testified concerning God’s kingdom and tried to convince them about Jesus through appealing to the Law from Moses and the Prophets.
24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others refused to believe.