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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 As he continued his defense, Festus shouted, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much education is driving you crazy!”

25 But Paul said, “I’m not out of my mind, Your Excellency Festus. I’m reporting what is absolutely true. 26 Indeed, the king knows about these things, and I can speak to him freely. For I’m certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this wasn’t done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe them!”

28 Agrippa asked Paul, “Can you so quickly persuade me to become a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I wish to God that not only you but everyone listening to me today would become what I am—except for these chains!”

30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and those who were sitting with him got up. 31 As they were leaving, they began to say to each other, “This man hasn’t been doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”

32 Agrippa told Festus, “This man could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to the emperor.”

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