| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | English Standard Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11And 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22To 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26For the king knows about these things, and to him 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29And 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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