Acts 26 - English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Paul's Defence Before Agrippa

26 So (A)Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defence:

2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defence today (B)against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the (C)customs and (D)controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 (E)“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among (F)my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that (G)according to the strictest (H)party of our (I)religion I have lived as (J)a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in (K)the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 (L)to which (M)our twelve tribes hope to (N)attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope (O)I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought (P)incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

9 (Q)“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of (R)Jesus of Nazareth. 10 (S)And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority (T)from the chief priests, but (U)when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And (V)I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them (W)blaspheme, and (X)in raging fury against them I (Y)persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Paul Tells of His Conversion

12 “In this connection (Z)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, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me (AA)in the Hebrew language,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and (AB)stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, (AC)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 (AD)delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—(AE)to whom I (AF)am sending you 18 (AG)to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from (AH)the power of Satan to God, that they may receive (AI)forgiveness of sins and (AJ)a place among those who are sanctified (AK)by faith in me.’

19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to (AL)the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first (AM)to those in Damascus, (AN)then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also (AO)to the Gentiles, that they should (AP)repent and (AQ)turn to God, performing deeds (AR)in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason (AS)the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 (AT)To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so (AU)I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what (AV)the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 (AW)that the Christ (AX)must suffer and that, (AY)by being the first (AZ)to rise from the dead, (BA)he would proclaim (BB)light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24 And as he was saying these things in his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, (BC)you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, (BD)most excellent Festus, but I am speaking (BE)true and (BF)rational words. 26 For (BG)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 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be (BH)a Christian?”[b] 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day (BI)might become such as I am—except for (BJ)these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and (BK)the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, (BL)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, (BM)“This man could have been set (BN)free if he had not appealed (BO)to Caesar.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 26:14 Or the Hebrew dialect (that is, Aramaic)
  2. Acts 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!

Cross references

  1. Acts 26:1 : See ch. 9:15
  2. Acts 26:2 : ch. 25:7, 19; [ver. 7]
  3. Acts 26:3 : See ch. 6:14
  4. Acts 26:3 : See ch. 18:15
  5. Acts 26:4 : [Gal. 1:13]
  6. Acts 26:4 : ch. 24:17; 28:19
  7. Acts 26:5 : ch. 22:3
  8. Acts 26:5 : See ch. 24:5
  9. Acts 26:5 : James 1:26, 27
  10. Acts 26:5 : ch. 23:6
  11. Acts 26:6 : See ch. 13:32
  12. Acts 26:7 : [ch. 2:33; Heb. 10:36; 11:13, 39]
  13. Acts 26:7 : Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; James 1:1; Rev. 21:12; [Ezra 6:17]
  14. Acts 26:7 : Phil. 3:11
  15. Acts 26:7 : ver. 2
  16. Acts 26:8 : [ch. 17:3; 1 Cor. 15:12]
  17. Acts 26:9 : 1 Tim. 1:13; [John 16:2]; See ch. 3:17
  18. Acts 26:9 : ch. 22:8
  19. Acts 26:10 : See ch. 8:3
  20. Acts 26:10 : ver. 12; ch. 9:1, 2, 14, 21; 22:4, 5
  21. Acts 26:10 : See ch. 22:20
  22. Acts 26:11 : ch. 22:19
  23. Acts 26:11 : See ch. 13:45
  24. Acts 26:11 : ch. 9:1
  25. Acts 26:11 : ch. 22:5
  26. Acts 26:12 : For ver. 12-18, see ch. 9:3-8; 22:6-11
  27. Acts 26:14 : ch. 21:40; 22:2
  28. Acts 26:16 : Ezek. 2:1; Dan. 10:11
  29. Acts 26:16 : See ch. 22:14, 15
  30. Acts 26:17 : [ch. 12:11; 1 Chr. 16:35; Jer. 1:8, 19; 15:20]
  31. Acts 26:17 : See ch. 9:15
  32. Acts 26:17 : [Rom. 11:13; 1 Tim. 2:7]
  33. Acts 26:18 : Isa. 35:5; 42:7
  34. Acts 26:18 : See Luke 22:53; 1 Cor. 5:5
  35. Acts 26:18 : See ch. 5:31
  36. Acts 26:18 : See ch. 20:32
  37. Acts 26:18 : [ch. 15:9; 2 Thess. 2:13]
  38. Acts 26:19 : ver. 13
  39. Acts 26:20 : ch. 9:19, 20
  40. Acts 26:20 : ch. 9:26-29; 22:17-20
  41. Acts 26:20 : See ch. 13:46
  42. Acts 26:20 : See ch. 2:38
  43. Acts 26:20 : See ch. 14:15
  44. Acts 26:20 : Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8
  45. Acts 26:21 : ch. 21:27, 30, 31; 24:18
  46. Acts 26:22 : 2 Cor. 1:10; [Heb. 13:5, 6]
  47. Acts 26:22 : [Eph. 6:13]
  48. Acts 26:22 : See ch. 10:43; 24:14
  49. Acts 26:23 : [Luke 24:26; Heb. 2:10]; See ch. 3:18
  50. Acts 26:23 : [John 12:34]
  51. Acts 26:23 : 1 Cor. 15:20, 23; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5
  52. Acts 26:23 : Rom. 1:4
  53. Acts 26:23 : [Eph. 2:17]
  54. Acts 26:23 : ver. 18; See Luke 2:32
  55. Acts 26:24 : ch. 12:15; [ver. 8; ch. 17:32; 2 Kgs. 9:11; Jer. 29:26; Mark 3:21; John 10:20; 1 Cor. 1:23; 2:14; 4:10]
  56. Acts 26:25 : See ch. 24:2
  57. Acts 26:25 : [2 Pet. 1:16]
  58. Acts 26:25 : [2 Cor. 5:13]
  59. Acts 26:26 : [ver. 3]
  60. Acts 26:28 : ch. 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16
  61. Acts 26:29 : [1 Cor. 7:7]
  62. Acts 26:29 : See ch. 21:33
  63. Acts 26:30 : See ch. 23:24
  64. Acts 26:31 : See ch. 23:29
  65. Acts 26:32 : ch. 28:18
  66. Acts 26:32 : ch. 25:11; 28:19
  67. Acts 26:32 : See ch. 9:15

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26 And Agrippa said unto Paul, `It is permitted to thee to speak for thyself;' then Paul having stretched forth the hand, was making a defence: 2 `Concerning all things of which I am accused by Jews, king Agrippa, I have thought myself happy, being about to make a defence before thee to-day, 3 espec...
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26 And Agrippa said to Paul, It is suffered to thee, to speak for thyself. Then Paul held forth the hand, and began to yield reason. 2 Of all things, in which I am accused of the Jews, thou king Agrippa, I guess me blessed at thee, when I shall defend me this day; 3 most for thou knowest all thing...
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Acts 26 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, `You may speak for yourself.' So Paul put out his hand and began to speak. 2 `King Agrippa, I am happy to speak for myself before you today. I will talk about all the things the leaders of the Jews have said against me. 3 You know all the ways of the Jews. You know what...
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Acts 26 - World English Bible (WEB)

26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.”Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you today concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all cus...
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Acts 26 - The Voice (VOICE)

26 Agrippa (to Paul): Go ahead. You may speak for yourself. Paul (extending his hand): 2 I am indeed fortunate to be standing before you, King Agrippa, to humbly defend myself against accusations from my Jewish opponents. 3 You are extraordinarily familiar with Jewish customs and controversies, so ...
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Acts 26 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Defense Before King Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.”Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense. 2 “Concerning all I am accused of by the Judean leaders, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that it is before you that I am about to ma...
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Acts 26 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2 “I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 b...
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Acts 26 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2 “I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 b...
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Acts 26 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So, Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. 2 “I consider myself happy, King Agrippa. Because today I shall answer before you all the things of which I am accused by the Jews; 3 “especially because you have kno...
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Acts 26 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Paul Before Agrippa26 Agrippa addressed Paul.‘You are permitted’, he said, ‘to speak for yourself.’Paul stretched out his hand and began his defence. 2 ‘I consider myself blessed, King Agrippa,’ he said, ‘to have the chance to speak before you today in my defence concerning all the things of which t...
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Acts 26 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself: 2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the ...
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Acts 26 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself: 2 ‘I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defence today against all the accusations of the ...
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Acts 26 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Paul Defends Himself before Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself:(A)2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of th...
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Acts 26 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

King Agrippa hears Paul, who describes his calling from the beginning. 26 Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand and answered for himself: 2 I think myself fortunate, King Agrippa, because I may answer this day before you to all the things I...
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Acts 26 - New Living Translation (NLT)

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2 “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3 for I know you are an expert on all Jewish c...
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Acts 26 - New Life Version (NLV)

Paul Speaks to King Agrippa26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now speak for yourself.” Paul lifted his hand and started to talk, 2 “King Agrippa, the Jews have said many things against me. I am happy to be able to tell you my side of the story. 3 You know all about the Jewish ways and problems. So ...
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Acts 26 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Paul’s Early Life26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself (A)happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer (B)for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am (C)accused by the...
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