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24 Now while [a]Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [b]Great (A)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 utter words [c]of sober truth. 26 For the king [d](C)knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [e]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” 28 But Agrippa replied to Paul, “[f]In such short time [g]are you persuading me to become a (D)Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “I would pray to God, that whether [h]in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these (E)chains.”

30 (F)And the king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “(G)This man is not doing anything worthy of death or [i]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been (H)set free if he had not (I)appealed to Caesar.”

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 26:24 Lit he
  2. Acts 26:24 Lit The many letters
  3. Acts 26:25 Lit of truth and rationality
  4. Acts 26:26 Or understands
  5. Acts 26:26 A hidden or secret place
  6. Acts 26:28 Or With a little
  7. Acts 26:28 Or you are persuading me to become a Christian
  8. Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
  9. Acts 26:31 Lit bonds

24 At this point in Paul’s defense, Festus declared with a loud voice, “You’ve lost your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you mad!”

25 But Paul replied, “I’m not mad, most honorable Festus! I’m speaking what is sound and true. 26 King Agrippa knows about these things, and I have been speaking openly to him. I’m certain that none of these things have escaped his attention. This didn’t happen secretly or in some out-of-the-way place. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you trying to convince me that, in such a short time, you’ve made me a Christian?”

29 Paul responded, “Whether it is a short or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today will become like me, except for these chains.”

30 The king stood up, as did the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them. 31 As they left, they were saying to each other, “This man is doing nothing that deserves death or imprisonment.”

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”

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