14. But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way of Jesus. The others 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 surely be raised from the dead.
16. This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and people.
17. “After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I went back 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 and had not made any trouble; no people were gathering around me.
19. But there were some people from Asia who should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, they are the ones who should accuse me.
20. Or ask these people here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the council in Jerusalem.
21. But I did shout one thing when I stood before them: ‘You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from the dead!’ ”
22. Felix already understood much about the Way of Jesus. He stopped the trial and said, “When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide your case.”
23. Felix told the officer to keep Paul guarded but to give him some freedom and to let his friends bring what he needed.