Acts 25.13-26.32

11. If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cæsar: unto Cæsar shalt thou go.

13. Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus. 14. And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15. about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him. 16. To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him. 17. When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 18. Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; 19. but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20. And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters. 21. But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cæsar. 22. And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him. 23. So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. 24. And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25. But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him. 26. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write. 27. For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him. 26:1. And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence: 26:2. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews: 26:3. especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 26:4. My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 26:5. having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 26:6. And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; 26:7. unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king! 26:8. Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead? 26:9. I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 26:10. And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. 26:11. And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities. 26:12. Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 26:13. at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me. 26:14. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 26:15. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 26:16. But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; 26:17. delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, 26:18. to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. 26:19. Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 26:20. but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 26:21. For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me. 26:22. Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come; 26:23. how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles. 26:24. And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad. 26:25. But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness. 26:26. For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner. 26:27. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 26:28. And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. 26:29. And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds. 26:30. And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 26:31. and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 26:32. And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar. (Acts 25:11-26:32, ASV)

11. For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”

13. Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. 14. As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15. about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him. 16. To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 17. When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 18. Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed; 19. but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20. Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21. But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.” 22. Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.” 23. So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24. Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him, 26. of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write. 27. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.” 26:1. Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. 26:2. “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, 26:3. especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 26:4. “Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 26:5. having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 26:6. Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, 26:7. which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa! 26:8. Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead? 26:9. “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 26:10. This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. 26:11. Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 26:12. “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests, 26:13. at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. 26:14. When we had all fallen to the earth, 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.’ 26:15. “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 26:16. But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you; 26:17. delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, 26:18. to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 26:19. “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 26:20. but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 26:21. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me. 26:22. Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, 26:23. how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.” 26:24. As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” 26:25. But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness. 26:26. For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner. 26:27. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 26:28. Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?” 26:29. Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.” 26:30. The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. 26:31. When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” 26:32. Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 25:11-26:32, WEB)

11. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13. And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15. About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17. Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19. But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. ^{I doubted: or, I was doubtful how to enquire hereof} 21. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. ^{hearing: or, judgment} 22. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23. And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. 24. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. 26:1. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 26:2. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 26:3. Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 26:4. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 26:5. Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 26:6. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 26:7. Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. ^{day and night: Gr. night and day} 26:8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 26:9. I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 26:10. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 26:11. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 26:12. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 26:13. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 26:14. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 26:15. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 26:16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 26:17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 26:19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 26:20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 26:21. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 26:22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 26:23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 26:24. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 26:25. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26:26. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 26:27. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 26:28. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 26:29. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 26:30. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 26:31. And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 26:32. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. (Acts 25:11-26:32, KJV)

11. for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!' 12. then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, 'To Caesar thou hast appealed; to Caesar thou shalt go.'

13. And certain days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus, 14. and as they were continuing there more days, Festus submitted to the king the things concerning Paul, saying, 'There is a certain man, left by Felix, a prisoner, 15. about whom, in my being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information, asking a decision against him, 16. unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against [him]. 17. 'They, therefore, having come together, I, making no delay, on the succeeding [day] having sat upon the tribunal, did command the man to be brought, 18. concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against [him] no accusation of the things I was thinking of, 19. but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive; 20. and I, doubting in regard to the question concerning this, said, If he would wish to go on to Jerusalem, and there to be judged concerning these things 21. but Paul having appealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.' 22. And Agrippa said unto Festus, 'I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, 'To-morrow thou shalt hear him;' 23. on the morrow, therefore, on the coming of Agrippa and Bernice with much display, and they having entered into the audience chamber, with the chief captains also, and the principal men of the city, and Festus having ordered, Paul was brought forth. 24. And Festus said, 'King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, ye see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews did deal with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out, He ought not to live any longer; 25. and I, having found him to have done nothing worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Sebastus, I decided to send him, 26. concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to [my] lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write; 27. for it doth seem to me irrational, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.' 26:1. 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: 26:2. '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, 26:3. especially knowing thee to be acquainted with all things, both customs and questions, among Jews; wherefore, I beseech thee, patiently to hear me. 26:4. 'The manner of my life then, indeed, from youth, which from the beginning was among my nation, in Jerusalem, know do all the Jews, 26:5. knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee; 26:6. and now for the hope of the promise made to the fathers by God, I have stood judged, 26:7. to which our twelve tribes, intently night and day serving, do hope to come, concerning which hope I am accused, king Agrippa, by the Jews; 26:8. why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead? 26:9. 'I, indeed, therefore, thought with myself, that against the name of Jesus of Nazareth it behoved [me] many things to do, 26:10. which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I in prison did shut up, from the chief priests having received the authority; they also being put to death, I gave my vote against them, 26:11. and in every synagogue, often punishing them, I was constraining [them] to speak evil, being also exceedingly mad against them, I was also persecuting [them] even unto strange cities. 26:12. 'In which things, also, going on to Damascus, with authority and commission from the chief priests 26:13. at mid-day, I saw in the way, O king, out of heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me a light, and those going on with me; 26:14. and we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? hard for thee against pricks to kick! 26:15. 'And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute; 26:16. but rise, and stand upon thy feet, for for this I appeared to thee, to appoint thee an officer and a witness both of the things thou didst see, and of the things [in which] I will appear to thee, 26:17. delivering thee from the people, and the nations, to whom now I send thee, 26:18. to open their eyes, to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the authority of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness of sins, and a lot among those having been sanctified, by faith that [is] toward me. 26:19. 'Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 26:20. but to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem, to all the region also of Judea, and to the nations, I was preaching to reform, and to turn back unto God, doing works worthy of reformation; 26:21. because of these things the Jews, having caught me in the temple, were endeavouring to kill [me]. 26:22. 'Having obtained, therefore, help from God, till this day, I have stood witnessing both to small and to great, saying nothing besides the things that both the prophets and Moses spake of as about to come, 26:23. that the Christ is to suffer, whether first by a rising from the dead, he is about to proclaim light to the people and to the nations.' 26:24. And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, 'Thou art mad, Paul; much learning doth turn thee mad;' 26:25. and he saith, 'I am not mad, most noble Festus, but of truth and soberness the sayings I speak forth; 26:26. for the king doth know concerning these things, before whom also I speak boldly, for none of these things, I am persuaded, are hidden from him; for this thing hath not been done in a corner; 26:27. thou dost believe, king Agrippa, the prophets? I have known that thou dost believe!' 26:28. And Agrippa said unto Paul, 'In a little thou dost persuade me to become a Christian!' 26:29. and Paul said, 'I would have wished to God, both in a little, and in much, not only thee, but also all those hearing me to-day, to become such as I also am, except these bonds.' 26:30. And, he having spoken these things, the king rose up, and the governor, Bernice also, and those sitting with them, 26:31. and having withdrawn, they were speaking unto one another, saying, 'This man doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds;' 26:32. and Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man might have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.' (Acts 25:11-26:32, YLT)