When Paul saw that some of the group were Sadducees and the others were Pharisees, he called out in the Council, "Fellow Israelites! I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. I am on trial here because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to life!"

All those sitting in the Council fixed their eyes on Stephen and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.

The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received from them letters written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.

The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.

"My fellow Jews, listen to me as I make my defense before you!"

And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and people.

My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me.

We are proud that our conscience assures us that our lives in this world, and especially our relations with you, have been ruled by God-given frankness and sincerity, by the power of God's grace and not by human wisdom.

We put aside all secret and shameful deeds; we do not act with deceit, nor do we falsify the word of God. In the full light of truth we live in God's sight and try to commend ourselves to everyone's good conscience.

I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did. I thank him as I remember you always in my prayers night and day.

Keep on praying for us. We are sure we have a clear conscience, because we want to do the right thing at all times.

but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.