Acts 26:19-32

English Standard Version

¹⁹“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to ^(A)the heavenly vision, ²⁰but 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. ²¹For 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.”

²⁴And 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.” ²⁵But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, ^(S)most excellent Festus, but I am speaking ^(T)true and ^(U)rational words. ²⁶For ^(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. ²⁷King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” ²⁸And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be ^(W)a Christian?”^[a] ²⁹And 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.”

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 ³¹And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, ^(AA)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”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

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Footnotes

Acts 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!

Psalm 19-20

English Standard Version

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 ^(A)The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above^[a] proclaims his handiwork.
²Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴^(B)Their ^(C)voice^[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for ^(D)the sun,
⁵    ^(E)which comes out like ^(F)a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷^(G)The law of the Lord is perfect,^[c]
    ^(H)reviving the soul;
^(I)the testimony of the Lord is ^(J)sure,
    ^(K)making wise ^(L)the simple;
⁸^(M)the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is ^(N)pure,
    ^(O)enlightening the eyes;
⁹the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules^[d] of the Lord are ^(P)true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰More to be desired are they than ^(Q)gold,
    even much ^(R)fine gold;
^(S)sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of ^(T)the honeycomb.
¹¹Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    ^(U)in keeping them there is great reward.

¹²^(V)Who can discern his errors?
    ^(W)Declare me innocent from ^(X)hidden faults.
¹³^(Y)Keep back your servant also from ^(Z)presumptuous sins;
    let them not have ^(AA)dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my ^(AB)rock and my ^(AC)redeemer.

Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

20 May the Lord ^(AD)answer you in the day of trouble!
    May ^(AE)the name of the God of Jacob ^(AF)protect you!
²May he send you help from ^(AG)the sanctuary
    and give you support from ^(AH)Zion!
³May he ^(AI)remember all your offerings
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

⁴May he ^(AJ)grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
⁵May we shout for joy over ^(AK)your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our ^(AL)banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

⁶Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with ^(AM)the saving might of his right hand.
⁷Some trust in ^(AN)chariots and some in ^(AO)horses,
    ^(AP)but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.