24 While [a]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [b]Your great (A)learning is [c]driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, (B)most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with [d]truthful and rational words. 26 For the king [e](C)knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [f]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “[g]In a short time you are going to persuade me to [h]make a (D)Christian of myself.” 29 And Paul said, “I would [i]wish to God that even [j]in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these (E)chains.”

30 (F)The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “(G)This man is not doing anything deserving death or [k]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; i.e., education
  3. Acts 26:24 Lit turning you to madness
  4. Acts 26:25 Lit words of truth and rationality
  5. Acts 26:26 Or understands
  6. Acts 26:26 I.e., a hidden or secret place
  7. Acts 26:28 Or With a little
  8. Acts 26:28 Or act as a Christian
  9. Acts 26:29 Or pray to
  10. Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
  11. Acts 26:31 Lit bonds

Paul Appeals to Agrippa to Believe

24 And as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are mad; your great learning is turning you mad.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not 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 you think to make me a Christian!” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Berni′ce and those who were sitting with them; 31 and when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

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