Acts 26:1-7 ▼

1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews,

3 especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

4 Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people, and also in Jerusalem.

5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

6 And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers,

7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.