Acts 26:1-18 ▼

1 THEN A-grip’pa said to Paul, You have permission to speak in your own behalf. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and answered, saying,

2 In view of all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself blessed, O King A-grip’pa, to defend myself today before you.

3 Especially because I know you are familiar with all the customs and questions and laws of the Jews: wherefore, I beg you to hear me patiently.

4 Even the Jews themselves, if they would be willing to testify, know well my manner of life from my childhood which started first among mine own people at Jerusalem.

5 For they have been acquainted with me a long time, and know that I was brought up with the excellent doctrine of the Phar’i-sees.

6 And now I stand and am on trial for the hope of the promise made of God to our fathers.

7 It is to the fulfillment of this hope that our twelve tribes expect to come, by means of earnest prayers day and night. And for this very hope’s sake, I am accused by the Jews, O King A-grip’pa.

8 How can you judge? Is it improper to believe that God can raise the dead?

9 For I at the very beginning was determined that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 Which I also did at Jerusalem: I cast many of the saints into prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when some were put to death, I took part with those who condemned them.

11 And I tortured them in every synagogue, thus compelling them to blaspheme the name of Jesus; and being exceedingly mad against them, I also went to other cities to persecute them.

12 I was on the way to Damascus for this purpose, with authority and commission from the chief priests, when,

13 At mid-day on the road, O king, I saw a light from heaven more powerful than that of the sun, shining round about me and upon those who journeyed with me.

14 When we all fell to the ground, then I heard a voice speaking unto me, in the Hebrew tongue (Ar-a-ma’ic), Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, My LORD, who are you? And our LORD said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you persecute.

16 Then he said to me, Rise and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of these things in which you have seen me, and of those things in which you will also see me again.

17 And I will deliver you from the Jewish people, and from the other people to whom I send you;

18 To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, and receive forgiveness of sins, and a portion with the saints who are of the faith in me.