Acts 26:1-8 ▼

1 So Agrippa said to Paul, |You have permission to speak for yourself.| Then Paul held out his hand and began his defense:

2 Regarding all the things I have been accused of by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today,

3 because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversial issues of the Jews. Therefore I ask you to listen to me patiently.

4 Now all the Jews know the way I lived from my youth, spending my life from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.

5 They know, because they have known me from time past, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors,

7 a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve God night and day. Concerning this hope the Jews are accusing me, Your Majesty!

8 Why do you people think it is unbelievable that God raises the dead?