Acts 26
New King James Version
Paul’s Early Life
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself (A)happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer (B)for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am (C)accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to (D)the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 (E)And now I stand and am judged for the hope of (F)the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise (G)our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God (H)night and day, (I)hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 (J)“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things [a]contrary to the name of (K)Jesus of Nazareth. 10 (L)This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority (M)from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 (N)And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul Recounts His Conversion(O)
12 (P)“While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, (Q)to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will [b]deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, (R)to whom I [c]now send you, 18 (S)to open their eyes, in order (T)to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, (U)that they may receive forgiveness of sins and (V)an inheritance among those who are (W)sanctified[d] by faith in Me.’
Paul’s Post-Conversion Life
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but (X)declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do (Y)works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those (Z)which the prophets and (AA)Moses said would come— 23 (AB)that the Christ would suffer, (AC)that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and (AD)would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Agrippa Parries Paul’s Challenge
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, (AE)you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not [e]mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, (AF)knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, (AG)“I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, (AH)“This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set (AI)free (AJ)if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Footnotes
- Acts 26:9 against
- Acts 26:17 rescue
- Acts 26:17 NU, M omit now
- Acts 26:18 set apart
- Acts 26:25 out of my mind
Hechos 26
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Defensa de Pablo ante Herodes Agripa II
26 Agripa II(A) dijo a Pablo: «Se te permite hablar en tu favor». Entonces Pablo, extendiendo la mano, comenzó su defensa:
2 «Con respecto a todo aquello de que los judíos me acusan, me considero afortunado, oh rey Agripa, de poder[a] presentar hoy mi defensa delante de usted, 3 sobre todo, porque es experto[b] en todas las costumbres y controversias entre los judíos(B). Por lo cual le ruego que me escuche con paciencia.
4 »Pues bien, todos los judíos conocen(C) mi vida[c] desde mi juventud, que desde el principio transcurrió entre los de mi pueblo[d] y en Jerusalén; 5 puesto que ellos han sabido de mí desde hace mucho tiempo, si están dispuestos a testificar, que viví como fariseo(D), de acuerdo con la secta(E) más estricta(F) de nuestra religión.
6 »Y ahora soy sometido a juicio por la esperanza(G) de la promesa hecha por Dios a nuestros padres(H): 7 que nuestras doce tribus(I) esperan alcanzar al servir fielmente a Dios noche y día. Y por esta esperanza(J), oh rey, soy acusado por los judíos(K). 8 ¿Por qué se considera increíble entre ustedes que Dios resucite a los muertos(L)?
9 »Yo ciertamente había creído que debía hacer muchos males(M) en contra del nombre de Jesús de Nazaret(N). 10 Esto es precisamente[e] lo que hice en Jerusalén. No solo encerré en cárceles a muchos de los santos(O) con la autoridad recibida de los principales sacerdotes(P), sino que también, cuando eran condenados a muerte, yo añadía mi voto(Q). 11 Castigándolos con frecuencia en todas las sinagogas(R), procuraba obligarlos a blasfemar, y enfurecido contra ellos(S), seguía persiguiéndolos aun hasta en las ciudades extranjeras[f](T).
Relato de la conversión de Pablo
12 »(U)Ocupado en esto[g], cuando iba para Damasco con autoridad y comisión de los principales sacerdotes, 13 al mediodía, oh rey, yendo de camino, vi una luz procedente del cielo más brillante que el sol, que resplandecía alrededor mío y de los que viajaban conmigo. 14 Después de que todos caímos al suelo(V), oí una voz que me decía en el idioma hebreo[h](W): “Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues? Dura cosa te es dar coces contra el aguijón”.
15 »Yo entonces dije: “¿Quién eres, Señor?”. Y el Señor dijo: “Yo soy Jesús a quien tú persigues. 16 Pero levántate y ponte en pie(X); porque te he aparecido con el fin de designarte(Y)como ministro y testigo(Z), no solo de las cosas que[i]has visto, sino también de aquellas en que me apareceré a ti(AA). 17 Te rescataré(AB)del pueblo judío y de los gentiles(AC), a los cuales Yo te envío, 18 para que les abras sus ojos(AD)a fin de que se conviertan de las tinieblas a la luz(AE), y del dominio de Satanás a Dios(AF), para que reciban, por la fe en Mí(AG), el perdón de pecados(AH)y herencia entre los que han sido santificados(AI)”.
19 »Por tanto, oh rey Agripa, no fui desobediente a la visión celestial, 20 sino que anunciaba, primeramente a los que estaban en Damasco(AJ) y también en Jerusalén(AK), y después por toda la región de Judea, y aun a los gentiles(AL), que debían arrepentirse(AM) y volverse a Dios, haciendo obras dignas de arrepentimiento(AN).
21 »Por esta causa, algunos judíos me prendieron en el templo(AO) y trataron de matarme(AP). 22 Así que habiendo recibido ayuda de Dios, continúo hasta este día testificando(AQ) tanto a pequeños como a grandes, no declarando más que lo que los profetas y Moisés dijeron que sucedería(AR): 23 que[j] el Cristo[k] había de padecer[l](AS), y que por motivo de Su resurrección de entre los muertos(AT), Él debía ser el primero en proclamar luz tanto al pueblo judío como a los gentiles(AU)».
Pablo exhorta a Herodes Agripa II
24 Mientras Pablo decía esto en su defensa, Festo dijo* a gran voz: «¡Pablo, estás loco! ¡Tu mucho saber[m](AV) te está haciendo perder la cabeza[n]!». 25 Pero Pablo le respondió*: «No estoy loco, excelentísimo(AW) Festo, sino que hablo palabras de verdad y de cordura. 26 Porque el rey entiende estas cosas(AX), y también le hablo con confianza, porque estoy persuadido de que él no ignora nada de esto; pues esto no se ha hecho en secreto[o]. 27 Rey Agripa, ¿cree usted en los profetas? Yo sé que cree».
28 Entonces Agripa II le dijo a Pablo: «En poco tiempo[p] me persuadirás[q] a que me haga cristiano(AY)». 29 Y Pablo contestó: «Quisiera[r] Dios que, ya fuera en poco tiempo o en mucho[s], no solo usted, sino también todos los que hoy me oyen, llegaran a ser tal como yo soy, a excepción de estas cadenas(AZ)».
30 El rey, el gobernador, Berenice(BA) y los que estaban sentados con ellos se levantaron, 31 y mientras se retiraban, hablaban entre sí, diciendo: «Este hombre no ha hecho* nada que merezca muerte o prisión[t](BB)». 32 Agripa II le dijo a Festo: «Este hombre podría haber sido puesto en libertad(BC), si no hubiera apelado a César(BD)».
Footnotes
- 26:2 Lit. de estar para.
- 26:3 O porque eres especialmente experto.
- 26:4 O mi manera de vivir.
- 26:4 Lit. nación.
- 26:10 Lit. también.
- 26:11 O circunvecinas.
- 26:12 Lit. En las cuales cosas.
- 26:14 I.e. arameo judaico.
- 26:16 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: que de mí.
- 26:23 Lit. si.
- 26:23 I.e. el Mesías.
- 26:23 Lit. sería sujeto a sufrimiento.
- 26:24 Lit. Las muchas letras.
- 26:24 Lit. te están volviendo loco.
- 26:26 Lit. en un rincón.
- 26:28 O Con un poco.
- 26:28 O procurarás convencerme.
- 26:29 Lit. Oraría a.
- 26:29 O con poco o con mucho.
- 26:31 Lit. cadenas.
Acts 26
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching forth his hand, began to make his answer.
2 I think myself happy, O king Agrippa, that I am to answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews.
3 Especially as thou knowest all, both customs and questions that are among the Jews: Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:
5 Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:
7 Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible, that God should raise the dead?
9 And I indeed did formerly think, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which also I did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests: and when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.
11 And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
12 Whereupon when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,
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 that were in company with me.
14 And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
15 And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise up, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister, and a witness of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things wherein I will appear to thee,
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the nations, unto which now I send thee:
18 To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision:
20 But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.
21 For this cause the Jews, when I was in the temple, having apprehended me, went about to kill me.
22 But being aided by the help of God, I stand unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing than those which the prophets, and Moses did say should come to pass:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light to the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 As he spoke these things, and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.
25 And Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with confidence. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. For neither was any of these things done in a corner.
27 Believest thou the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that thou believest.
28 And Agrippa said to Paul: In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.
29 And Paul said: I would to God, that both in a little and in much, not only thou, but also all that hear me, this day, should become such as I also am, except these bands.
30 And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them.
31 And when they were gone aside, they spoke among themselves, saying: This man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bands.
32 And Agrippa said to Festus: This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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