^{17 Ref} And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: `Men, brethren, I -- having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers -- a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans;

^{18 Ref} who, having examined me, were wishing to release `me', because of their being no cause of death in me,

^{19 Ref} and the Jews having spoken against `it', I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar -- not as having anything to accuse my nation of;

^{20 Ref} for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with `you', for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'

^{21 Ref} And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee,

^{22 Ref} and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;'