15. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
16. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
17. Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
18. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.