Acts 26:19-32

English Standard Version

¹⁹ “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to ^(A)the heavenly vision, ²⁰ but declared first ^(B)to those in Damascus, ^(C)then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also ^(D)to the Gentiles, that they should ^(E)repent and ^(F)turn to God, performing deeds ^(G)in keeping with their repentance. ²¹ For this reason ^(H)the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. ^22 (I)To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so ^(J)I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what ^(K)the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: ^23 (L)that the Christ ^(M)must suffer and that, ^(N)by being the first ^(O)to rise from the dead, ^(P)he would proclaim ^(Q)light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

²⁴ And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, ^(R)you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” ²⁵ But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, ^(S)most excellent Festus, but I am speaking ^(T)true and ^(U)rational words. ²⁶ For ^(V)the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” ²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be ^(W)a Christian?”^{[a] 29} And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day ^(X)might become such as I am—except for ^(Y)these chains.”

³⁰ Then the king rose, and ^(Z)the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. ³¹ And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, ^(AA)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, ^(AB)“This man could have been set ^(AC)free if he had not appealed ^(AD)to Caesar.”