King James Version

1 But Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." Then Paul, extending his hand, defended himself. 2 Concerning all those things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to be defending myself before you today. 3 Indeed, being a knowledgeable person about all the customs and matters among the Jews, I therefore ask you to hear me patiently. 4 Therefore, all the Jews know my manner of life which from my youth was spent from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem. 5 Those who know me beforehand, if they wish to bear witness, that according to the most precise sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand judged on the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 Into which our twelve tribes earnestly serve night and day, hoping to reach; concerning this hope, I am accused by the Jews, O king. 8 What seems unbelievable to you if God raises the dead? 9 Therefore, I thought it necessary to do many things opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 What I also did in Jerusalem, and I shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were being put to death, I cast my vote. 11 And in all the synagogues, often punishing them, they compelled them to blaspheme; being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to the outside cities. 12 While traveling to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. 13 At midday along the road, I saw, O king, a light shining upon me from heaven that was brighter than the brightness of the sun and those who were traveling with me. 14 When we all fell to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. 15 But I said, "Who are you, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting." 16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for this reason I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of both things you have seen and of those in which I will appear to you. 17 I am sending you out from the people and from the nations to whom I am sending you. 18 To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a portion among those who are sanctified by faith in me. 19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 But to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and to the nations, they were proclaiming to repent and return to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 21 Because of these things, the Jews, having seized me in the temple, attempted to take me into their custody. 22 Therefore, having received aid from God until this day, I stand witnessing to both small and great, saying nothing beyond what the prophets spoke would happen and Moses. 23 If Christ is to suffer, if He is the first from the resurrection of the dead, He is about to proclaim light to the people and to the nations. 24 While he was defending himself, Festus exclaimed with a loud voice, "You are mad, Paul; your great learning is driving you mad." 25 But Paul said, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness.” 26 For the king knows about these things, to whom I speak boldly; for I do not believe that he is ignorant of these matters at all, for this is not done in a corner. 27 Do you believe, King Agrippa, in the prophets? I know that you believe. 28 But Agrippa said to Paul, "In a little you persuade me to become a Christian." 29 But Paul said: "I wish to God that whether in a short time or a long time, not only you, but also all who hear me today, would become such as I am, except for these chains." 30 The king and the ruler, along with Bernice and those sitting with them, arose. 31 And having withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying that nothing worthy of death or of bonds is being done by this man. 32 But Agrippa said to Festus: This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.