But I told them that we Romans are not in the habit of handing over any who are accused of a crime before they have met their accusers face-to-face and have had the chance of defending themselves against the accusation.

And when I was informed that there was a plot against him, at once I decided to send him to you. I have told his accusers to make their charges against him before you."

If you question this man, you yourself will be able to learn from him all the things that we are accusing him of."

His opponents stood up, but they did not accuse him of any of the evil crimes that I thought they would.

All they had were some arguments with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus, who has died; but Paul claims that he is alive.

But I could not find that he had done anything for which he deserved the death sentence. And since he himself made an appeal to the Emperor, I have decided to send him.

Paul was about to speak when Gallio said to the Jews, "If this were a matter of some evil crime or wrong that has been committed, it would be reasonable for me to be patient with you Jews.

Look, my father, look at the piece of your robe I am holding! I could have killed you, but instead I only cut this off. This should convince you that I have no thought of rebelling against you or of harming you. You are hunting me down to kill me, even though I have not done you any wrong.

May the LORD judge which one of us is wrong! May he punish you for your action against me, for I will not harm you in the least.

O LORD, my God, if I have wronged anyone, if I have betrayed a friend or without cause done violence to my enemy --- if I have done any of these things---

then let my enemies pursue me and catch me, let them cut me down and kill me and leave me lifeless on the ground!

So Pilate went outside to them and asked, "What do you accuse this man of ?"

Their answer was, "We would not have brought him to you if he had not committed a crime."