“1 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. 16 But 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. 19 Whereupon, 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.” (Acts 26:1-32 AV)
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