Acts

26 And Agrippa unto Paul said—It is permitted thee on thine own behalf to be speaking. Then Paul stretching forth his hand went on to make his defence.

2 Concerning all things of which I am accused by Jews, King Agrippa I have been counting myself happy that before thee am I about this day to be making my defence;

3 especially as thou art well-versed in all the Jewish customs and questions. Wherefore I beseech thee patiently to hear me.

4 My manner of life then from my youth, which from its commencement was formed among my nation even in Jerusalem know all Jews,

5 inasmuch as they were aforetime observing me from the outset,—if they please to bear witness,—that according to the strictest sect of our own religion I lived a Pharisee.

6 And now for the hope of the promise unto our fathers being brought to pass by God am I standing to be judged,—

7 unto which [hope] our twelve-tribed nation with intensity night and day rendering divine service is hoping to attain:—concerning which hope I am being accused by Jews, O King!

8 What! incredible is it judged with you that God the dead doth raise?

9 I therefore imagined to myself, that against the name of Jesus the Nazarene it was needful many hostile things to bring about,—

10 which also I did in Jerusalem, yea and many of the saints I myself in prisons shut up,—the authority from the High-priests having received: and when they were to be put to death I brought against them my vote;

11 and throughout all the synagogues ofttimes punishing them I would fain have compelled them to defame; and being excessively maddened against them I went on to pursue them as far as even the outlying cities.

12 Among which things being on a journey unto Damascus with the authority and commission of the High-priests

13 at midday on the road I saw, O King, from heaven, above the splendour of the sun shining around me a light, and [around] them who with me were journeying;

14 and when we were all fallen to the ground I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language—Saul! Saul! why me art thou persecuting? It is hard for thee against goads to be kicking!

15 And I said—Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said—I am Jesus, whom thou art persecuting!

16 But rise and stand upon thy feet; for to this end have I appeared unto thee,—To appoint thee an attendant and a witness, Both of the things as to which thou hast seen me And of those as to which I will appear unto thee:

17 Rescuing thee from among the people, and from among the nations Unto whom I am sending thee—

18 To open their eyes; That they turn from darkness unto light And the authority of Satan unto God, That they may receive remission of sins And an inheritance among them who have been made holy by the faith respecting me.

19 Wherefore, O King Agrippa,—I became not disobedient unto the heavenly vision;

20 But—Both to them in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, Unto all the country of Judaea also, and unto the nations I carried tidings—That they should repent and turn unto God, And works worthy of their repentance should practise.

21 Because of these things Jews seized me in the temple, and were attempting to slay me with their own hands.

22 So then having met with the help that is from God until this day do I stand witnessing to both small and great, nothing else saying than those things which both the prophets and Moses did say should certainly come to pass:—

23 If to suffer the Christ was destined, If the first of a resurrection of the dead he is about to carry tidings of light both unto the people and unto the nations.

24 Now as he was saying these things in his defence Festus with a loud voice saith—Thou art raving, Paul! Thy great learning is turning thee round unto raving madness.

25 But Paul—I am not raving (saith he), most noble Festus,—but the declarations of truth and soberness am I sounding forth:

26 For well-knoweth the king concerning these things, unto whom with boldness of utterance am I speaking; for that these things are not hidden from him I am well persuaded,—for not in a corner hath this thing been done.

27 Believest thou, King Agrippa, in the prophets? I know that thou believest!

28 And Agrippa [said] unto Paul—Almost art thou persuading me to become a Christian!

29 And Paul [answered]—I could pray unto God that both almost and altogether, not only thou but all they who are hearing me this day might become such,—as even I am, excepting these bonds.

30 And the king rose up and the governor, Bernicè also and they who had been sitting with them;

31 and retiring they began conversing one with another, saying—Nothing worthy of death or of bonds doth this man practise.

32 And Agrippa unto Festus said—This man might have been released if he had not appealed unto Caesar.