¹² When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,^(A) the God of our fathers,^(B) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over^(C) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,^(D) though he had decided to let him go.^{(E) 14} You disowned the Holy^(F) and Righteous One^(G) and asked that a murderer be released to you.^{(H) 15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.^(I) We are witnesses^(J) of this.

¹⁷ “Now, fellow Israelites,^(A) I know that you acted in ignorance,^(B) as did your leaders.^{(C) 18} But this is how God fulfilled^(D) what he had foretold^(E) through all the prophets,^(F) saying that his Messiah would suffer.^{(G) 19} Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,^(H) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah,^(I) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him^(J) until the time comes for God to restore everything,^(K) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.^{(L) 22} For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.^{(M) 23} Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’^[a](N)

²⁴ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets^(O) who have spoken have foretold these days. ²⁵ And you are heirs^(P) of the prophets and of the covenant^(Q) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’^{[b](R) 26} When God raised up^(S) his servant, he sent him first^(T) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

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: ² “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) 3} 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.

⁴ “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. ⁵ 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) 6} And now it is because of my hope^(K) in what God has promised our ancestors^(L) that I am on trial today. ⁷ 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) 8} Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?^(P)

⁹ “I too was convinced^(Q) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose^(R) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.^(S)