12. Those who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple. I was not stirring up the people. And I was not making trouble in the Temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
13. They cannot prove the things they are saying against me now.
14. But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way of Jesus. The Jews say that the Way of Jesus is not the right way. But I believe everything that is taught in the law of Moses and that is written in the books of the Prophets.
15. I have the same hope in God that they have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death.
16. This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and men.
17. “I was away from Jerusalem for several years. I went back there to bring money to my people and to offer sacrifices.
18. I was doing this when they found me in the Temple. I had finished the cleansing ceremony. I had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me.