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Psalm 37-39
New American Standard Bible
Psalm 37-39
New American Standard Bible
Security of Those Who Trust in the Lord, and Insecurity of the Wicked.
A Psalm of David.
37 (A)Do not get upset because of evildoers,
Do not be (B)envious of wrongdoers.
2 For they will (C)wither quickly like the grass,
And (D)decay like the green plants.
3 (E)Trust in the Lord and do good;
(F)Live in the land and [a](G)cultivate faithfulness.
4 (H)Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will (I)give you the desires of your heart.
5 (J)Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring out (K)your righteousness as the light,
And your judgment (L)as the noonday.
7 [b]Rest in the Lord and (M)wait [c]patiently for Him;
(N)Do not get upset because of one who is (O)successful in his way,
Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and (P)abandon wrath;
Do not get upset; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For (Q)evildoers will be eliminated,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will (R)inherit the land.
10 Yet (S)a little while and the wicked person will be no more;
And you will look carefully for (T)his place and he will not be there.
11 But (U)the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in (V)abundant prosperity.
12 The wicked (W)plots against the righteous,
And (X)gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord (Y)laughs at him,
For He sees that (Z)his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword and (AA)bent their bow
To take down the (AB)afflicted and the needy,
To (AC)kill off those who are upright in conduct.
15 Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their (AD)bows will be broken.
16 (AE)Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the (AF)arms of the wicked will be broken,
But the Lord (AG)sustains the righteous.
18 The Lord (AH)knows the days of the [d]blameless,
And their (AI)inheritance will be forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And (AJ)in the days of famine they will have plenty.
20 But the (AK)wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the Lord will be like the [e]glory of the pastures,
They vanish—(AL)like smoke they vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
But the righteous (AM)is gracious and gives.
22 For (AN)those blessed by Him will (AO)inherit the land,
But those (AP)cursed by Him will be eliminated.
23 (AQ)The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
And He (AR)delights in his way.
24 When (AS)he falls, he will not be hurled down,
Because (AT)the Lord is the One [f]who holds his hand.
25 I have been young and now I am old,
Yet (AU)I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or (AV)his [g]descendants begging for bread.
26 All day long (AW)he is gracious and lends,
And (AX)his [h]descendants are a blessing.
27 (AY)Turn from evil and do good,
So that you will dwell (AZ)forever.
28 For the Lord (BA)loves [i]justice
And (BB)does not abandon His godly ones;
They are (BC)protected forever,
But the [j](BD)descendants of the wicked will be eliminated.
29 The righteous will (BE)inherit the land
And (BF)dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous (BG)utters wisdom,
And his tongue (BH)speaks justice.
31 The (BI)Law of his God is in his heart;
His (BJ)steps do not slip.
32 The (BK)wicked spies upon the righteous
And (BL)seeks to kill him.
33 The Lord will (BM)not leave him in his hand
Or (BN)let him be condemned when he is judged.
34 (BO)Wait for the Lord and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land;
When the (BP)wicked are eliminated, you will see it.
35 I have (BQ)seen a wicked, violent person
Spreading himself like a (BR)luxuriant [k]tree in its native soil.
36 Then he passed away, and behold, he (BS)was no more;
I searched for him, but he could not be found.
37 Observe the [l](BT)blameless person, and look at the (BU)upright;
For the person of peace will have (BV)a future.
38 But wrongdoers will altogether be (BW)destroyed;
The future of the wicked will be (BX)eliminated.
39 But the (BY)salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength (BZ)in time of trouble.
40 (CA)The Lord helps them and rescues them;
He (CB)rescues them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they (CC)take refuge in Him.
Prayer of a Suffering Penitent.
A Psalm of David, for a memorial.
38 Lord, (CD)do not rebuke me in Your wrath,
And do not punish me in Your burning anger.
2 For Your (CE)arrows have sunk deep into me,
And (CF)Your hand has pressed down on me.
3 There is (CG)no healthy part in my flesh (CH)because of Your indignation;
There is no health (CI)in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my (CJ)guilty deeds have gone over my head;
Like a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
5 My [m]wounds grow foul and fester
Because of (CK)my foolishness.
6 I am bent over and (CL)greatly bowed down;
I (CM)go in mourning all day long.
7 For my [n]sides are filled with (CN)burning,
And there is (CO)no healthy part in my flesh.
8 I feel (CP)faint and [o]badly crushed;
I [p](CQ)groan because of the [q]agitation of my heart.
9 Lord, all (CR)my desire is [r]before You;
And my (CS)sighing is not hidden from You.
10 My heart throbs, (CT)my strength fails me;
And the (CU)light of my eyes, even [s]that [t]has gone from me.
11 My [u](CV)loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague;
And my kinsmen (CW)stand far away.
12 Those who (CX)seek my life (CY)lay snares for me;
And those who (CZ)seek to injure me have [v]threatened destruction,
And they (DA)plot deception all day long.
13 But I, like a person who is deaf, do not hear;
And I am like a (DB)person who cannot speak, who does not open his mouth.
14 Yes, I am like a person who does not hear,
And in whose mouth are no arguments.
15 For (DC)I wait for You, Lord;
You (DD)will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, “May they not rejoice over me,
Who, when my foot slips, (DE)would exalt themselves over me.”
17 For I am (DF)ready to fall,
And (DG)my [w]sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I (DH)admit my guilt;
I am full of (DI)anxiety because of my sin.
19 But my (DJ)enemies are vigorous and [x]strong,
And those who wrongfully (DK)hate me are many.
20 And those who (DL)repay evil for good,
They (DM)become my enemies, because I follow what is good.
21 Do not abandon me, Lord;
My God, (DN)do not be far from me!
22 (DO)Hurry to help me,
Lord, (DP)my salvation!
The Futility of Life.
For the music director, for [y]Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
39 I said, “I will (DQ)keep watch over my ways
So that I (DR)do not sin with my tongue;
I will keep watch over (DS)my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was (DT)mute [z]and silent,
I [aa]refused to say even something good,
And my pain was stirred up.
3 My (DU)heart was hot within me,
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Lord, let me know (DV)my end,
And what is the extent of my days;
Let me know how (DW)transient I am.
5 Behold, You have made (DX)my days like [ab]hand widths,
And my (DY)lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
Certainly all mankind standing is [ac]a mere (DZ)breath. Selah
6 Certainly every person (EA)walks around as [ad]a fleeting shadow;
They certainly make an (EB)uproar for nothing;
He (EC)amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.
7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My (ED)hope is in You.
8 (EE)Save me from all my wrongdoings;
Do not make me an object of (EF)reproach for the foolish.
9 I have become (EG)mute, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is (EH)You who have done it.
10 (EI)Remove Your plague from me;
Because of (EJ)the opposition of Your hand I am [ae]perishing.
11 With (EK)rebukes You punish a person for wrongdoing;
You (EL)consume like a moth what is precious to him;
Certainly (EM)all mankind is mere breath! Selah
12 “(EN)Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help;
Do not be silent (EO)to my tears;
For I am (EP)a stranger with You,
(EQ)One who lives abroad, like all my fathers.
13 (ER)Turn Your eyes away from me, that I may become cheerful again
Before I depart and am no more.”
Footnotes
- Psalm 37:3 Or feed securely; or feed on His faithfulness
- Psalm 37:7 Or Be still
- Psalm 37:7 Or longingly
- Psalm 37:18 Lit complete; or perfect
- Psalm 37:20 I.e., flowers
- Psalm 37:24 Or who sustains him with His hand
- Psalm 37:25 Lit seed
- Psalm 37:26 Lit seed
- Psalm 37:28 Lit judgment
- Psalm 37:28 Lit seed
- Psalm 37:35 Lit native; Heb obscure
- Psalm 37:37 Lit complete; or perfect
- Psalm 38:5 Or stripes
- Psalm 38:7 Lit loins
- Psalm 38:8 Or greatly
- Psalm 38:8 Lit roar
- Psalm 38:8 Lit growling
- Psalm 38:9 Or known to You
- Psalm 38:10 Lit they have
- Psalm 38:10 Lit is not with me
- Psalm 38:11 Or lovers
- Psalm 38:12 Lit spoken
- Psalm 38:17 Lit pain
- Psalm 38:19 Or numerous
- Psalm 39 Title 1 Chr 16:41
- Psalm 39:2 Lit with silence
- Psalm 39:2 Lit was silent from good
- Psalm 39:5 I.e., short
- Psalm 39:5 Or altogether breath
- Psalm 39:6 Lit an image
- Psalm 39:10 Or wasting away
Psalm 37-39
New International Version
Psalm 37-39
New International Version
Psalm 37[a]
Of David.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious(A) of those who do wrong;(B)
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,(C)
like green plants they will soon die away.(D)
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land(E) and enjoy safe pasture.(F)
4 Take delight(G) in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.(H)
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him(I) and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward(J) shine like the dawn,(K)
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still(L) before the Lord
and wait patiently(M) for him;
do not fret(N) when people succeed in their ways,(O)
when they carry out their wicked schemes.(P)
8 Refrain from anger(Q) and turn from wrath;
do not fret(R)—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,(S)
but those who hope(T) in the Lord will inherit the land.(U)
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;(V)
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land(W)
and enjoy peace and prosperity.(X)
12 The wicked plot(Y) against the righteous
and gnash their teeth(Z) at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.(AA)
14 The wicked draw the sword(AB)
and bend the bow(AC)
to bring down the poor and needy,(AD)
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,(AE)
and their bows will be broken.(AF)
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth(AG) of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,(AH)
but the Lord upholds(AI) the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,(AJ)
and their inheritance will endure forever.(AK)
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:(AL)
Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.(AM)
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;(AN)
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses(AO) will be destroyed.(AP)
23 The Lord makes firm the steps(AQ)
of the one who delights(AR) in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,(AS)
for the Lord upholds(AT) him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken(AU)
or their children begging(AV) bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;(AW)
their children will be a blessing.[b](AX)
27 Turn from evil and do good;(AY)
then you will dwell in the land forever.(AZ)
28 For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.(BA)
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[c];
the offspring of the wicked will perish.(BB)
29 The righteous will inherit the land(BC)
and dwell in it forever.(BD)
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,(BE)
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;(BF)
their feet do not slip.(BG)
32 The wicked lie in wait(BH) for the righteous,(BI)
intent on putting them to death;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned(BJ) when brought to trial.(BK)
34 Hope in the Lord(BL)
and keep his way.(BM)
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed,(BN) you will see(BO) it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing(BP) like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.(BQ)
37 Consider the blameless,(BR) observe the upright;(BS)
a future awaits those who seek peace.[d](BT)
38 But all sinners(BU) will be destroyed;(BV)
there will be no future[e] for the wicked.(BW)
39 The salvation(BX) of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.(BY)
40 The Lord helps(BZ) them and delivers(CA) them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves(CB) them,
because they take refuge(CC) in him.
Psalm 38[f]
A psalm of David. A petition.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.(CD)
2 Your arrows(CE) have pierced me,
and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health(CF) in my body;
there is no soundness in my bones(CG) because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed(CH) me
like a burden too heavy to bear.(CI)
5 My wounds(CJ) fester and are loathsome(CK)
because of my sinful folly.(CL)
6 I am bowed down(CM) and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.(CN)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;(CO)
there is no health(CP) in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;(CQ)
I groan(CR) in anguish of heart.(CS)
9 All my longings(CT) lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing(CU) is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds,(CV) my strength fails(CW) me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.(CX)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;(CY)
my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,(CZ)
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;(DA)
all day long they scheme and lie.(DB)
13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,(DC)
like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 Lord, I wait(DD) for you;
you will answer,(DE) Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat(DF)
or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”(DG)
17 For I am about to fall,(DH)
and my pain(DI) is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;(DJ)
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies(DK) without cause[g];
those who hate me(DL) without reason(DM) are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil(DN)
lodge accusations(DO) against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me;(DP)
do not be far(DQ) from me, my God.
22 Come quickly(DR) to help me,(DS)
my Lord and my Savior.(DT)
Psalm 39[h]
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, “I will watch my ways(DU)
and keep my tongue from sin;(DV)
I will put a muzzle on my mouth(DW)
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,(DX)
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish(DY) increased;
3 my heart grew hot(DZ) within me.
While I meditated,(EA) the fire(EB) burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;(EC)
let me know how fleeting(ED) my life is.(EE)
5 You have made my days(EF) a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,(EG)
even those who seem secure.[i]
6 “Surely everyone goes around(EH) like a mere phantom;(EI)
in vain they rush about,(EJ) heaping up wealth(EK)
without knowing whose it will finally be.(EL)
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.(EM)
8 Save me(EN) from all my transgressions;(EO)
do not make me the scorn(EP) of fools.
9 I was silent;(EQ) I would not open my mouth,(ER)
for you are the one who has done this.(ES)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow(ET) of your hand.(EU)
11 When you rebuke(EV) and discipline(EW) anyone for their sin,
you consume(EX) their wealth like a moth(EY)—
surely everyone is but a breath.(EZ)
Footnotes
- Psalm 37:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
- Psalm 37:26 Or freely; / the names of their children will be used in blessings (see Gen. 48:20); or freely; / others will see that their children are blessed
- Psalm 37:28 See Septuagint; Hebrew They will be protected forever
- Psalm 37:37 Or upright; / those who seek peace will have posterity
- Psalm 37:38 Or posterity
- Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
- Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies
- Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
- Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.
Acts 26
New American Standard Bible
Acts 26
New American Standard Bible
Paul’s Defense before Agrippa
26 (A)Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
2 “Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 [a]especially because you are an expert in all (B)customs and [b]questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “So then, all Jews know (C)my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a (D)Pharisee (E)according to the strictest (F)sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing trial (G)for the hope of (H)the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise (I)to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this (J)hope, O king, I am being (K)accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people (L)if God raises the dead?
9 “So (M)I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to (N)the name of Jesus [c]of Nazareth. 10 And this is [d]just what I (O)did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [e]saints in prisons, after (P)receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also (Q)cast my vote against them when they were being put to death. 11 And (R)as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was (S)extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them (T)even to [f]foreign cities.
12 “[g]While so engaged, (U)as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, [h]brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had (V)all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the [i](W)Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? [j]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and (X)stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to (Y)appoint you as a (Z)servant and (AA)a witness not only to the things in which you have seen Me, but also to the things in which I will appear to you, 17 (AB)rescuing you (AC)from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to (AD)open their eyes so that they may turn from (AE)darkness to light, and from the [k]power of (AF)Satan to God, that they may receive (AG)forgiveness of sins and an (AH)inheritance among those who have been sanctified by (AI)faith in Me.’
19 “For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but continually proclaimed (AJ)to those in Damascus first, and (AK)in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even (AL)to the Gentiles, that they are to (AM)repent and turn to God, performing deeds (AN)consistent with repentance. 21 For these reasons some Jews (AO)seized me in the temple and tried (AP)to murder me. 22 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day (AQ)testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what (AR)the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23 as to (AS)whether the [l]Christ was [m]to suffer, and whether, as (AT)first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim (AU)light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 While [n]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [o]Your great (AV)learning is [p]driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, (AW)most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with [q]truthful and rational words. 26 For the king [r](AX)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 [s]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “[t]In a short time you are going to persuade me to [u]make a (AY)Christian of myself.” 29 And Paul said, “I would [v]wish to God that even [w]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 (AZ)chains.”
30 (BA)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, “(BB)This man is not doing anything deserving death or [x]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been (BC)set free if he had not (BD)appealed to Caesar.”
Footnotes
- Acts 26:3 Or because you are especially expert
- Acts 26:3 Or controversial issues
- Acts 26:9 Or the Nazarene
- Acts 26:10 Lit also
- Acts 26:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Acts 26:11 Or outlying
- Acts 26:12 Lit In which things
- Acts 26:13 Lit above the brightness of
- Acts 26:14 I.e., Jewish Aramaic
- Acts 26:14 An idiom referring to an animal’s futile resistance to being prodded with a spiked stick
- Acts 26:18 Or dominion
- Acts 26:23 I.e., Messiah
- Acts 26:23 Lit subject to suffering
- Acts 26:24 Lit he
- Acts 26:24 Lit The many letters; i.e., education
- Acts 26:24 Lit turning you to madness
- Acts 26:25 Lit words of truth and rationality
- Acts 26:26 Or understands
- Acts 26:26 I.e., a hidden or secret place
- Acts 26:28 Or With a little
- Acts 26:28 Or act as a Christian
- Acts 26:29 Or pray to
- Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
- Acts 26:31 Lit bonds
Acts 26
New International Version
Acts 26
New International Version
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”(A)
So Paul motioned with his hand(B) and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you(C) today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,(D) 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs(E) and controversies.(F) Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,(G) from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time(H) and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect(I) of our religion, living as a Pharisee.(J) 6 And now it is because of my hope(K) in what God has promised our ancestors(L) that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes(M) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.(N) King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.(O) 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?(P)
9 “I too was convinced(Q) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose(R) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.(S) 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people(T) in prison,(U) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.(V) 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,(W) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice(X) saying to me in Aramaic,[a](Y) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.(Z) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.(AA) 17 I will rescue you(AB) from your own people and from the Gentiles.(AC) I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes(AD) and turn them from darkness to light,(AE) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins(AF) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(AG)
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient(AH) to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus,(AI) then to those in Jerusalem(AJ) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,(AK) I preached that they should repent(AL) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.(AM) 21 That is why some Jews seized me(AN) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.(AO) 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen(AP)— 23 that the Messiah would suffer(AQ) and, as the first to rise from the dead,(AR) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”(AS)
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(AT) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(AU) is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent(AV) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(AW) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(AX)
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(AY)
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(AZ) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(BA)
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(BB) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(BC)
Footnotes
- Acts 26:14 Or Hebrew
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.