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24 Now while [a]Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [b]Great (A)learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, (B)most excellent Festus, but I utter words [c]of sober truth. 26 For the king [d](C)knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [e]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” 28 But Agrippa replied to Paul, “[f]In such short time [g]are you persuading me to become a (D)Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “I would pray to God, that whether [h]in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these (E)chains.”

30 (F)And the king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “(G)This man is not doing anything worthy of death or [i]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been (H)set free if he had not (I)appealed to Caesar.”

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 26:24 Lit he
  2. Acts 26:24 Lit The many letters
  3. Acts 26:25 Lit of truth and rationality
  4. Acts 26:26 Or understands
  5. Acts 26:26 A hidden or secret place
  6. Acts 26:28 Or With a little
  7. Acts 26:28 Or you are persuading me to become a Christian
  8. Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
  9. Acts 26:31 Lit bonds

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

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(C) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(D) 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?”(E)

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.”(F)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(G) 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.”(H)

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

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