17 Yes, I am king; but carnal men cannot behold the king, nor see the kingdom of the God; it is within. 18 If I had been a king as carnal man is king, my servants would have stood in my defense, and I would not have willingly surrendered to the minions of the Jewish law. 19 I have no testimony from the sons of men. God is my witness, and my words and deeds bear witness to the truth; 20 And every man who comprehends the truth will hearken to my words, and in his soul give witness unto me. 21 And Pilate said, What is the truth? 22 And Jesus said, Truth is the God who knows. It is the changeless one. The Holy Breath is truth; she changes not and cannot pass away. 23 And Pilate went again unto the Jews and said, This man is guilty of no crime; I cannot sentence him to death. 24 And then the Jews grew boisterous; they cried aloud and said, Our council surely knows. The wisest men of all the land have found him guilty of a score of crimes. 25 He would pervert the nation of the Jews; would overthrow the Roman rule and make himself the king. He is a culprit come from Galilee; he must be crucified. 26 And Pilate said, If Jesus is from Galilee he is a subject of the governor of Galilee, who should be judge. 27 Now, Herod had come down from Galilee and with his suite was in Jerusalem. 28 And Pilate sent to him the Lord in chains; he also sent a copy of the charges, and of the testimonies of the Jews, and asked that he would pass in judgment on the case. 29 And Herod said, I have heard much about this man and I am pleased to see him in my court. 30 And then he asked the Lord about his claims, about his doctrines and his aims. 31 And Jesus answered not a word; and Herod was enraged; he said, Do you insult the ruler of the land by answering not? 32 And then he called his guards and said, Take you this man and torture him until he answers me. 33 The guards took Jesus and they smote him; mocked him; wrapped him in a royal robe; they made a crown of thorns and put it on his head; they put a broken reed into his hands; 34 And then they said deridingly, All hail, thou royal king! Where are your armies and your guards? Where are your subjects and your friends? 35 But Jesus answered not a word. Then Herod sent him back to Pilate with this note of courtesy: 36 Most worthy counsellor of Rome, I have examined all the charges and the testimonies that you sent to me regarding this seditious man from Galilee, and while I might adjudge him guilty of the crimes as charged, 37 I yield to you my rights as judge, because you are superior to me in power. I will approve of any judgment you may render in this case. 38 Now, Pilate and the tetrarch had been foes, but the experience of this hour destroyed their enmity and they were friends in after days. 39 When Jesus had been brought again to Pilate’s court, the Roman governor stood forth before the accusers of the Lord and said,