^{17 Ref} Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews: and when they had come together, he said to them, My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was given, a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans.

^{18 Ref} Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.

^{19 Ref} But when the Jews made protest against it, I had to put my cause into Caesar's hands; not because I have anything to say against my nation.

^{20 Ref} But for this reason I sent for you, to see and have talk with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am in these chains.

^{21 Ref} And they said to him, We have not had letters from Judaea about you, and no one of the brothers has come to us here to give an account or say any evil about you.

^{22 Ref} But we have a desire to give hearing to your opinion: for as to this form of religion, we have knowledge that in all places it is attacked.