23On the next day, Agrippa and Berenice came with great pomp and entered the audience chamber together with the chiliarchs and the prominent men of the city. And when Festus ordered it, Paul was brought in.24And Festus says, "Agrippa the king and all the men present with us—you see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that it is necessary for him not to live any longer."25But I found that he had done nothing worthy of death. And since this man himself has appealed to the Augustus, I decided it was right to send him.26about whom I have nothing certain to write to the lord. Therefore I brought him before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.27For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without also specifying the charges against him.
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Chapter 26
1Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and began defending himself.2Concerning all things for which I am accused by Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself blessed before you being about to make my defense today.3especially since you are an expert in all Jewish customs and questions. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.4So my manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, all Jews know.5They have known me from the beginning, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.6And now I stand on trial on the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.7Our twelve tribes, serving earnestly night and day, hope to attain it. For this hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.8Why is it judged unbelievable among you if God raises the dead?9I indeed therefore thought to myself that it was necessary to do many contrary things toward the name of Jesus the Nazarene.10I also did this in Jerusalem. I even shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the high priests. And when they were being put to death, I cast a vote.11And in all the synagogues, often punishing them, I was compelling them to blaspheme. And, raging exceedingly against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.12On which mission, I was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the high priests.13At midday on the road, O king, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun shining around me and those traveling with me.14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”15But I said, "Who are you, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you persecute."16But stand up and stand on your feet, for I appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and witness both of what you saw me and of what I will appear to you,17rescuing you from the people and from the nations—to whom I am sending you18to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified by the faith that is in me.19Therefore, King Agrippa, I did not become disobedient to the heavenly vision.20but first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.21On account of these things, the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to do away with me.22Therefore, having obtained help from God up to this day, I have stood testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but those things which the prophets and Moses said would happen.23if the Christ is a sufferer, if he is the first from the resurrection of the dead to proclaim light both to the people and to the nations.24But as he was making his defense on these matters, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are mad, Paul! Your great learning is driving you mad."25But Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soundness of mind."26For the king knows about these things, to whom I also speak boldly. For I am not persuaded that any of these things escapes him at all, for this has not been done in a corner.27“Do you believe, King Agrippa, the prophets? I know that you believe.”28But Agrippa to Paul said, "In little you persuade me to make a Christian."29But Paul said, "I would pray to God that both in little and in great, not only you but also all those hearing me today might become such as I also am, except these bonds."30And the king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them rose up.31And when they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds."32Agrippa, however, said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar."