AICNT ACTs chapter 26

26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, extending his hand, began his defense:

2 “Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to be able to defend myself before you today, 3 especially since you are familiar with all the customs and controversies among the Jews. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand on trial because of the hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. Concerning this hope, I am accused by the Jews, O king.[fn]

8 “Why is it considered incredible among you if God raises the dead? 9 I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And this is what I did in Jerusalem; I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme; and in raging fury against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

12 “In this connection I journeyed 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, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.

14 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice [[speaking to me and]][fn] saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’[fn] 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And [the Lord][fn] said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen [of me][fn] and what I will reveal to you, 17 rescuing you from the people and from the nations to which I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 But to those in Damascus first, and also in Jerusalem, and [throughout][fn] all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, I proclaimed repentance and turning to God, performing deeds worthy of repentance. 21 Because of these things, Jews seized me [being][fn] in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light [both][fn] to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24 But as he was making his defense, Festus {said}[fn] with a loud voice, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you mad.” 25 But [Paul][fn] said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking words of truth and sound judgment. 26 For the king knows about these things, to whom also 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 {you would}[fn] persuade me to be a Christian.” 29 But Paul said, “I would pray to God that whether {in a short time or a long time},[fn] not only you but also all who hear me today might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

30 {Then}[fn] the king and the governor got up, as well as Bernice and those sitting with them, 31 And having withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This person does nothing worthy of death or chains.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

26:7, O king: Some manuscripts read “king Agrippa.”

26:14, speaking to me and: Some manuscripts include.

26:14, goads: That is sharp objects.

26:15, the Lord: Absent from some manuscripts which would be otherwise translated as “he.”

26:16, of me: Absent from some manuscripts.

26:20, throughout: Some manuscripts include.

26:21, being: Absent from some manuscripts.

26:23, both: Absent from some manuscripts.

26:24, said: Some manuscripts read “began to say.”

26:25, Paul Absent from some manuscripts which would be otherwise translated as “he.”

26:28, you would: Some manuscripts read “you think to.”

26:29, in a short time or a long time: Some manuscripts read “with a little or much.”

26:30, Then: Some manuscripts read “And having said these things.”

AICNT ACTs Chapter 26