Acts 26

1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching forth hand, made his defence, 2 “O king Agrippa, I think myself happy, that I am this day to make my defence before thee, concerning all which I am accused of by the Jews: 3 especially as thou art acquainted with all the customs and questions among the Jews; wherefore I intreat thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life then from youth, as it has been from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews are acquainted with, 5 knowing me before, (if they would testify ) that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a pharisee. 6 And now I stand arraigned for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers: 7 to which our twelve tribes, worshipping continually night and day, hope to attain: concerning which hope, O king Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 What! is it judged incredible by you, that God raise the dead? 9 I indeed thought with myself, that I ought to do many contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarene: 10 which I also did in Jerusalem; and I shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my voice against 11 And often punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled to blaspheme, and being excessively enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12 On which as I was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests—at mid-day, 13 O king, on the way I saw a light from heaven exceeding the splendor of the sun, shining about me and those that were going with me. 14 And when we were all fallen down to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, hard for thee to kick against the goads.} 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, 16 have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and which I shall appear unto thee:} 17 the Gentiles, to whom I now send thee,} 18 to turn from darkness to light, and the power of satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.} 19 Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and through all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and turn unto God, performing works suitable to repentance. 21 For these the Jews seized me in the temple, and attempted to kill me. 22 But having obtained help of God, I continue until this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses declared should come to pass; that the Messiah should suffer, 23 being the first of the resurrection from the dead should bring light to the people and to the Gentiles." 24 And as he was saying these things in his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning turns thy brain. 25 But he replied, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak the words of truth and of a sound mind. 26 For the king knoweth of these to whom also I speak with freedom; because I am persuaded that none of them are unknown to him; for this was not done in a corner. 27 O king Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? 28 I know that thou believest Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 30 And when he had said this, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those that sat with them. 31 And when they were retired, they spake to each other, saying, this man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Cesar.