And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: "Men [and] brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

"Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"

"So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"

"I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of [the] dead, both of [the] just and [the] unjust.

"And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.

"To this [promise] our twelve tribes, earnestly serving [God] night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles --

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

This salutation by my own hand -- Paul. Remember my chains. Grace [be] with you. Amen.

but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, [who] has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, [even] to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten [while] in my chains,

whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.