26 Then
Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then
Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I
think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this
day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially
because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are
among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My
manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation
at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which
knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most
straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And
now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto
our fathers: 7 Unto
which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night,
hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the
Jews. 8 Why
should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise
the dead? 9 I
verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which
thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in
prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they
were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And
I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme;
and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange
cities. 12 Whereupon
as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At
midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness
of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And
when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me,
and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And
I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I
am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16But
rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose,
to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast
seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering
thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open
their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power
of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19Whereupon,
O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But
shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all
the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent
and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For
these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having
therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both
to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets
and Moses did say should come: 23 That
Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from
the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And
as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou
art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But
he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth
and soberness. 26 For
the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I
am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing
was not done in a corner. 27 King
Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then
Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou 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 thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice,
and they that sat with them: 31 And
when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This
man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then
said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he
had not appealed unto Caesar.
