²⁴ And as^[a] he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your^[b] great learning is driving^[c] you insane!”^{[d] 25} But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but am speaking words of truth and rationality. ²⁶ For the king knows about these things, to whom also I am speaking freely, for I am not convinced that these things in any way have escaped^[e] his notice, because this was^[f] not done^[g] in a corner. ²⁷ Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.” ²⁸ But Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”^{[h] 29} And Paul replied, “I pray to God, whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who are listening to me today may become such people as I also am, except for these bonds!”

³⁰ Both the king and the governor got up, and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. ³¹ And as they^[i] were going out, they were talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment.” ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”