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作惡者之危殆

37 大衛的詩。

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。
因為他們如草快被割下,又如青菜快要枯乾。
你當倚靠耶和華而行善,住在地上,以他的信實為糧。
又要以耶和華為樂,他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。
當將你的事交託耶和華,並倚靠他,他就必成全。
他要使你的公義如光發出,使你的公平明如正午。
你當默然倚靠耶和華,耐性等候他,不要因那道路通達的和那惡謀成就的心懷不平。
當止住怒氣,離棄憤怒,不要心懷不平,以致作惡。
因為作惡的必被剪除,唯有等候耶和華的必承受地土。
10 還有片時,惡人要歸於無有,你就是細察他的住處,也要歸於無有。
11 但謙卑人必承受地土,以豐盛的平安為樂。
12 惡人設謀害義人,又向他咬牙。
13 主要笑他,因見他受罰的日子將要來到。
14 惡人已經弓上弦,刀出鞘,要打倒困苦窮乏的人,要殺害行動正直的人。
15 他們的刀必刺入自己的心,他們的弓必被折斷。
16 一個義人所有的雖少,強過許多惡人的富餘。
17 因為惡人的膀臂必被折斷,但耶和華是扶持義人。

恃主者之安穩

18 耶和華知道完全人的日子,他們的產業要存到永遠。

19 他們在急難的時候不致羞愧,在饑荒的日子必得飽足。
20 惡人卻要滅亡,耶和華的仇敵要像羊羔的脂油[a],他們要消滅,要如煙消滅。
21 惡人借貸而不償還,義人卻恩待人,並且施捨。
22 蒙耶和華賜福的必承受地土,被他咒詛的必被剪除。
23 義人的腳步被耶和華立定,他的道路耶和華也喜愛。
24 他雖失腳,也不至全身仆倒,因為耶和華用手攙扶他[b]
25 我從前年幼,現在年老,卻未見過義人被棄,也未見過他的後裔討飯。
26 他終日恩待人,借給人,他的後裔也蒙福。
27 你當離惡行善,就可永遠安居。
28 因為耶和華喜愛公平,不撇棄他的聖民,他們永蒙保佑,但惡人的後裔必被剪除。
29 義人必承受地土,永居其上。
30 義人的口談論智慧,他的舌頭講說公平。
31 神的律法在他心裡,他的腳總不滑跌。
32 惡人窺探義人,想要殺他。
33 耶和華必不撇他在惡人手中,當審判的時候,也不定他的罪。
34 你當等候耶和華,遵守他的道,他就抬舉你,使你承受地土,惡人被剪除的時候,你必看見。
35 我見過惡人大有勢力,好像一根青翠樹在本土生發。
36 有人從那裡經過,不料,他沒有了;我也尋找他,卻尋不著。
37 你要細察那完全人,觀看那正直人,因為和平人有好結局。
38 至於犯法的人,必一同滅絕,惡人終必剪除。
39 但義人得救,是由於耶和華,他在患難時做他們的營寨。
40 耶和華幫助他們,解救他們。他解救他們脫離惡人,把他們救出來,因為他們投靠他。

哀陳苦況求主矜憐

38 大衛的紀念詩。

耶和華啊,求你不要在怒中責備我,不要在烈怒中懲罰我!
因為你的箭射入我身,你的手壓住我。
因你的惱怒,我的肉無一完全;因我的罪過,我的骨頭也不安寧。
我的罪孽高過我的頭,如同重擔叫我擔當不起。
因我的愚昧,我的傷發臭流膿。
我疼痛,大大蜷曲,終日哀痛。
我滿腰是火,我的肉無一完全。
我被壓傷,身體疲倦;因心裡不安,我就唉哼。
主啊,我的心願都在你面前,我的嘆息不向你隱瞞。
10 我心跳動,我力衰微,連我眼中的光也沒有了。
11 我的良朋密友因我的災病都躲在旁邊站著,我的親戚本家也遠遠地站立。
12 那尋索我命的設下網羅,那想要害我的口出惡言,終日思想詭計。
13 但我如聾子不聽,像啞巴不開口。
14 我如不聽見的人,口中沒有回話。
15 耶和華啊,我仰望你!主我的神啊,你必應允我!
16 我曾說:「恐怕他們向我誇耀,我失腳的時候,他們向我誇大。」
17 我幾乎跌倒,我的痛苦常在我面前。
18 我要承認我的罪孽,我要因我的罪憂愁。
19 但我的仇敵又活潑又強壯,無理恨我的增多了。
20 以惡報善的與我作對,因我是追求良善。
21 耶和華啊,求你不要撇棄我!我的神啊,求你不要遠離我!
22 拯救我的主啊,求你快快幫助我!

世事虛幻唯主是望

39 大衛的詩,交於伶長耶杜頓

我曾說:「我要謹慎我的言行,免得我舌頭犯罪。惡人在我面前的時候,我要用嚼環勒住我的口。」
我默然無聲,連好話也不出口,我的愁苦就發動了。
我的心在我裡面發熱,我默想的時候,火就燒起,我便用舌頭說話。
耶和華啊,求你叫我曉得我身之終,我的壽數幾何,叫我知道我的生命不長。
你使我的年日窄如手掌,我一生的年數,在你面前如同無有。各人最穩妥的時候,真是全然虛幻!(細拉)
世人行動實係幻影,他們忙亂真是枉然,積蓄財寶不知將來有誰收取。
主啊,如今我等什麼呢?我的指望在乎你。
求你救我脫離一切的過犯,不要使我受愚頑人的羞辱。
因我所遭遇的是出於你,我就默然不語。
10 求你把你的責罰從我身上免去,因你手的責打,我便消滅。
11 你因人的罪惡,懲罰他的時候,叫他的笑容[c]消滅,如衣被蟲所咬。世人真是虛幻!(細拉)
12 耶和華啊,求你聽我的禱告,留心聽我的呼求,我流淚,求你不要靜默無聲。因為我在你面前是客旅,是寄居的,像我列祖一般。
13 求你寬容我,使我在去而不返之先,可以力量復原。

Footnotes

  1. 詩篇 37:20 或作:像草地的華美。
  2. 詩篇 37:24 或作:攙扶他的手。
  3. 詩篇 39:11 「的笑容」或作「所喜愛的」。

Psalm 37[a]

Of David.

Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious(A) of those who do wrong;(B)
for like the grass they will soon wither,(C)
    like green plants they will soon die away.(D)

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land(E) and enjoy safe pasture.(F)
Take delight(G) in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.(H)

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him(I) and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward(J) shine like the dawn,(K)
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still(L) before the Lord
    and wait patiently(M) for him;
do not fret(N) when people succeed in their ways,(O)
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.(P)

Refrain from anger(Q) and turn from wrath;
    do not fret(R)—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,(S)
    but those who hope(T) in the Lord will inherit the land.(U)

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;(V)
    though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land(W)
    and enjoy peace and prosperity.(X)

12 The wicked plot(Y) against the righteous
    and gnash their teeth(Z) at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
    for he knows their day is coming.(AA)

14 The wicked draw the sword(AB)
    and bend the bow(AC)
to bring down the poor and needy,(AD)
    to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,(AE)
    and their bows will be broken.(AF)

16 Better the little that the righteous have
    than the wealth(AG) of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,(AH)
    but the Lord upholds(AI) the righteous.

18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,(AJ)
    and their inheritance will endure forever.(AK)
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
    in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:(AL)
    Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
    they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.(AM)

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
    but the righteous give generously;(AN)
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
    but those he curses(AO) will be destroyed.(AP)

23 The Lord makes firm the steps(AQ)
    of the one who delights(AR) in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,(AS)
    for the Lord upholds(AT) him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old,
    yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken(AU)
    or their children begging(AV) bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;(AW)
    their children will be a blessing.[b](AX)

27 Turn from evil and do good;(AY)
    then you will dwell in the land forever.(AZ)
28 For the Lord loves the just
    and will not forsake his faithful ones.(BA)

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[c];
    the offspring of the wicked will perish.(BB)
29 The righteous will inherit the land(BC)
    and dwell in it forever.(BD)

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,(BE)
    and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;(BF)
    their feet do not slip.(BG)

32 The wicked lie in wait(BH) for the righteous,(BI)
    intent on putting them to death;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
    or let them be condemned(BJ) when brought to trial.(BK)

34 Hope in the Lord(BL)
    and keep his way.(BM)
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
    when the wicked are destroyed,(BN) you will see(BO) it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
    flourishing(BP) like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
    though I looked for him, he could not be found.(BQ)

37 Consider the blameless,(BR) observe the upright;(BS)
    a future awaits those who seek peace.[d](BT)
38 But all sinners(BU) will be destroyed;(BV)
    there will be no future[e] for the wicked.(BW)

39 The salvation(BX) of the righteous comes from the Lord;
    he is their stronghold in time of trouble.(BY)
40 The Lord helps(BZ) them and delivers(CA) them;
    he delivers them from the wicked and saves(CB) them,
    because they take refuge(CC) in him.

Psalm 38[f]

A psalm of David. A petition.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.(CD)
Your arrows(CE) have pierced me,
    and your hand has come down on me.
Because of your wrath there is no health(CF) in my body;
    there is no soundness in my bones(CG) because of my sin.
My guilt has overwhelmed(CH) me
    like a burden too heavy to bear.(CI)

My wounds(CJ) fester and are loathsome(CK)
    because of my sinful folly.(CL)
I am bowed down(CM) and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.(CN)
My back is filled with searing pain;(CO)
    there is no health(CP) in my body.
I am feeble and utterly crushed;(CQ)
    I groan(CR) in anguish of heart.(CS)

All my longings(CT) lie open before you, Lord;
    my sighing(CU) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(CV) my strength fails(CW) me;
    even the light has gone from my eyes.(CX)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(CY)
    my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(CZ)
    those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(DA)
    all day long they scheme and lie.(DB)

13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(DC)
    like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
    whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait(DD) for you;
    you will answer,(DE) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(DF)
    or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(DG)

17 For I am about to fall,(DH)
    and my pain(DI) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(DJ)
    I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(DK) without cause[g];
    those who hate me(DL) without reason(DM) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(DN)
    lodge accusations(DO) against me,
    though I seek only to do what is good.

21 Lord, do not forsake me;(DP)
    do not be far(DQ) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(DR) to help me,(DS)
    my Lord and my Savior.(DT)

Psalm 39[h]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

I said, “I will watch my ways(DU)
    and keep my tongue from sin;(DV)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(DW)
    while in the presence of the wicked.”
So I remained utterly silent,(DX)
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(DY) increased;
    my heart grew hot(DZ) within me.
While I meditated,(EA) the fire(EB) burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;(EC)
    let me know how fleeting(ED) my life is.(EE)
You have made my days(EF) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(EG)
    even those who seem secure.[i]

“Surely everyone goes around(EH) like a mere phantom;(EI)
    in vain they rush about,(EJ) heaping up wealth(EK)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.(EL)

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.(EM)
Save me(EN) from all my transgressions;(EO)
    do not make me the scorn(EP) of fools.
I was silent;(EQ) I would not open my mouth,(ER)
    for you are the one who has done this.(ES)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
    I am overcome by the blow(ET) of your hand.(EU)
11 When you rebuke(EV) and discipline(EW) anyone for their sin,
    you consume(EX) their wealth like a moth(EY)
    surely everyone is but a breath.(EZ)

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;(FA)
    do not be deaf(FB) to my weeping.(FC)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,(FD)
    a stranger,(FE) as all my ancestors were.(FF)
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”(FG)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 37:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 37:26 Or freely; / the names of their children will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or freely; / others will see that their children are blessed
  3. Psalm 37:28 See Septuagint; Hebrew They will be protected forever
  4. Psalm 37:37 Or upright; / those who seek peace will have posterity
  5. Psalm 37:38 Or posterity
  6. Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
  7. Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies
  8. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
  9. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.

18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

38 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.

14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

21 Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.

22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

39 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

保羅在亞基帕前為自己分訴

26 亞基帕保羅說:「准你為自己辯明。」於是保羅伸手分訴說: 亞基帕王啊,猶太人所告我的一切事,今日得在你面前分訴,實為萬幸。 更可幸的是,你熟悉猶太人的規矩和他們的辯論。所以,求你耐心聽我。 我從起初在本國的民中,並在耶路撒冷,自幼為人如何,猶太人都知道。 他們若肯作見證,就曉得我從起初是按著我們教中最嚴緊的教門做了法利賽人。 現在我站在這裡受審,是因為指望神向我們祖宗所應許的。 這應許,我們十二個支派晝夜切切地侍奉神,都指望得著。王啊,我被猶太人控告,就是因這指望。 神叫死人復活,你們為什麼看做不可信的呢? 從前我自己以為應當多方攻擊拿撒勒人耶穌的名, 10 我在耶路撒冷也曾這樣行了。既從祭司長得了權柄,我就把許多聖徒囚在監裡;他們被殺,我也出名定案。 11 在各會堂,我屢次用刑強逼他們說褻瀆的話,又分外惱恨他們,甚至追逼他們,直到外邦的城邑。 12 那時,我領了祭司長的權柄和命令,往大馬士革去。 13 王啊,我在路上,晌午的時候,看見從天發光,比日頭還亮,四面照著我並與我同行的人。 14 我們都仆倒在地,我就聽見有聲音用希伯來話向我說:掃羅掃羅,為什麼逼迫我?你用腳踢刺是難的。』 15 我說:『主啊,你是誰?』主說:『我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。

蒙派到外邦傳道

16 「你起來站著!我特意向你顯現,要派你做執事,作見證,將你所看見的事和我將要指示你的事證明出來。 17 我也要救你脫離百姓和外邦人的手。 18 我差你到他們那裡去,要叫他們的眼睛得開,從黑暗中歸向光明,從撒旦權下歸向神;又因信我,得蒙赦罪,和一切成聖的人同得基業。』 19 亞基帕王啊,我故此沒有違背那從天上來的異象, 20 先在大馬士革,後在耶路撒冷猶太全地,以及外邦,勸勉他們應當悔改歸向神,行事與悔改的心相稱。 21 因此猶太人在殿裡拿住我,想要殺我。 22 然而我蒙神的幫助,直到今日還站得住,對著尊貴、卑賤、老幼作見證。所講的並不外乎眾先知和摩西所說將來必成的事, 23 就是基督必須受害,並且因從死裡復活,要首先把光明的道傳給百姓和外邦人。」

非斯都說保羅癲狂

24 保羅這樣分訴,非斯都大聲說:「保羅,你癲狂了吧!你的學問太大,反叫你癲狂了!」 25 保羅說:「非斯都大人,我不是癲狂,我說的乃是真實明白話。 26 王也曉得這些事,所以我向王放膽直言;我深信這些事沒有一件向王隱藏的,因都不是在背地裡做的。 27 亞基帕王啊,你信先知嗎?我知道你是信的。」 28 亞基帕保羅說:「你想稍微一勸,便叫我做基督徒啊?[a] 29 保羅說:「無論是少勸是多勸,我向神所求的,不但你一個人,就是今天一切聽我的,都要像我一樣,只是不要像我有這些鎖鏈。」

30 於是,王和巡撫並百妮基與同坐的人都起來, 31 退到裡面,彼此談論說:「這人並沒有犯什麼該死、該綁的罪。」 32 亞基帕又對非斯都說:「這人若沒有上告於愷撒,就可以釋放了。」

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行傳 26:28 或作:你這樣勸我,幾乎叫我做基督徒了!

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”(A)

So Paul motioned with his hand(B) and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you(C) today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,(D) and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs(E) and controversies.(F) Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,(G) from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time(H) and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect(I) of our religion, living as a Pharisee.(J) And now it is because of my hope(K) in what God has promised our ancestors(L) that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes(M) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.(N) King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.(O) Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?(P)

“I too was convinced(Q) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose(R) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.(S) 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people(T) in prison,(U) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.(V) 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,(W) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice(X) saying to me in Aramaic,[a](Y) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.(Z) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.(AA) 17 I will rescue you(AB) from your own people and from the Gentiles.(AC) I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes(AD) and turn them from darkness to light,(AE) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins(AF) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(AG)

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient(AH) to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus,(AI) then to those in Jerusalem(AJ) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,(AK) I preached that they should repent(AL) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.(AM) 21 That is why some Jews seized me(AN) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.(AO) 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen(AP) 23 that the Messiah would suffer(AQ) and, as the first to rise from the dead,(AR) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”(AS)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(AT) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(AU) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(AV) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(AW) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(AX)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(AY)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(AZ) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(BA)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(BB) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(BC)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 26:14 Or Hebrew

26 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

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:

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.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers:

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.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

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.