¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.^{(A) 14} However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors^(B) as a follower of the Way,^(C) which they call a sect.^(D) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,^{(E) 15} and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection^(F) of both the righteous and the wicked.^{(G) 16} So I strive always to keep my conscience clear^(H) before God and man.

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor^(I) and to present offerings. ¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean^(J) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.^{(K) 19} But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,^(L) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.^{(M) 20} Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— ²¹ unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”^(N)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice^(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(D) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(E) you are blessed,^(F) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^(G)