Bible, King James Version
Acts
Acts.26
[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.
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