²⁴ While Paul was making this defense, Festus said loudly, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great education is turning you toward madness.” ²⁵ But Paul replied, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent and noble Festus, but [with a sound mind] I am uttering rational words of truth and reason. ²⁶ For [your majesty] the king understands these things, and [therefore] I am also speaking to him with confidence and boldness, since I am convinced that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner [hidden from view, in secret]. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the [writings of the] Prophets [their messages and words]? I know that you do.” ²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.” ²⁹ And Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

³⁰ Then the king stood up, and [with him] the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them; ³¹ and after they had gone out, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or [even] of imprisonment.” ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to ^[a]Caesar (Emperor Nero).”