Acts 26:24-32
English Standard Version
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, (A)you are out of your mind; your great 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 am speaking (C)true and (D)rational words. 26 For (E)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. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be (F)a Christian?”[a] 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day (G)might become such as I am—except for (H)these chains.”
30 Then the king rose, and (I)the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, (J)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, (K)“This man could have been set (L)free if he had not appealed (M)to Caesar.”
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- Acts 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!
Acts 26:24-32
Christian Standard Bible
Agrippa Not Quite Persuaded
24 As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind,(A) Paul! Too much study is driving you mad.”
25 But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.(B) 26 For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak boldly to him. For I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”
28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” [a]
29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty,[b] not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”(C)
30 The king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, 31 and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is not doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”(D)
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(E)
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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