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Acts 26 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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Paul’s Defense before Agrippa

26 (A)Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:

2 “Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 [a]especially because you are an expert in all (B)customs and [b]questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “So then, all Jews know (C)my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a (D)Pharisee (E)according to the strictest (F)sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing trial (G)for the hope of (H)the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise (I)to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this (J)hope, O king, I am being (K)accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people (L)if God raises the dead?

9 “So (M)I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to (N)the name of Jesus [c]of Nazareth. 10 And this is [d]just what I (O)did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [e]saints in prisons, after (P)receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also (Q)cast my vote against them when they were being put to death. 11 And (R)as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was (S)extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them (T)even to [f]foreign cities.

12 “[g]While so engaged, (U)as I was journeying 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, [h]brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had (V)all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the [i](W)Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? [j]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 get up and (X)stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to (Y)appoint you as a (Z)servant and (AA)a witness not only to the things in which you have seen Me, but also to the things in which I will appear to you, 17 (AB)rescuing you (AC)from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to (AD)open their eyes so that they may turn from (AE)darkness to light, and from the [k]power of (AF)Satan to God, that they may receive (AG)forgiveness of sins and an (AH)inheritance among those who have been sanctified by (AI)faith in Me.’

19 “For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but continually proclaimed (AJ)to those in Damascus first, and (AK)in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even (AL)to the Gentiles, that they are to (AM)repent and turn to God, performing deeds (AN)consistent with repentance. 21 For these reasons some Jews (AO)seized me in the temple and tried (AP)to murder me. 22 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day (AQ)testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what (AR)the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23 as to (AS)whether the [l]Christ was [m]to suffer, and whether, as (AT)first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim (AU)light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

24 While [n]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [o]Your great (AV)learning is [p]driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, (AW)most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with [q]truthful and rational words. 26 For the king [r](AX)knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [s]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “[t]In a short time you are going to persuade me to [u]make a (AY)Christian of myself.” 29 And Paul said, “I would [v]wish to God that even [w]in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these (AZ)chains.”

30 (BA)The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “(BB)This man is not doing anything deserving death or [x]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been (BC)set free if he had not (BD)appealed to Caesar.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 26:3 Or because you are especially expert
  2. Acts 26:3 Or controversial issues
  3. Acts 26:9 Or the Nazarene
  4. Acts 26:10 Lit also
  5. Acts 26:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  6. Acts 26:11 Or outlying
  7. Acts 26:12 Lit In which things
  8. Acts 26:13 Lit above the brightness of
  9. Acts 26:14 I.e., Jewish Aramaic
  10. Acts 26:14 An idiom referring to an animal’s futile resistance to being prodded with a spiked stick
  11. Acts 26:18 Or dominion
  12. Acts 26:23 I.e., Messiah
  13. Acts 26:23 Lit subject to suffering
  14. Acts 26:24 Lit he
  15. Acts 26:24 Lit The many letters; i.e., education
  16. Acts 26:24 Lit turning you to madness
  17. Acts 26:25 Lit words of truth and rationality
  18. Acts 26:26 Or understands
  19. Acts 26:26 I.e., a hidden or secret place
  20. Acts 26:28 Or With a little
  21. Acts 26:28 Or act as a Christian
  22. Acts 26:29 Or pray to
  23. Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
  24. Acts 26:31 Lit bonds

Cross references

  1. Acts 26:1 : Acts 9:15
  2. Acts 26:3 : Acts 6:14; 25:19; 26:7
  3. Acts 26:4 : Gal 1:13f; Phil 3:5
  4. Acts 26:5 : Acts 23:6; Phil 3:5
  5. Acts 26:5 : Acts 22:3
  6. Acts 26:5 : Acts 15:5
  7. Acts 26:6 : Acts 24:15; 28:20
  8. Acts 26:6 : Acts 13:32
  9. Acts 26:7 : James 1:1
  10. Acts 26:7 : Acts 24:15; 28:20
  11. Acts 26:7 : Acts 26:2
  12. Acts 26:8 : Acts 23:6
  13. Acts 26:9 : John 16:2; 1 Tim 1:13
  14. Acts 26:9 : John 15:21
  15. Acts 26:10 : Acts 8:3; 9:13
  16. Acts 26:10 : Acts 9:1f
  17. Acts 26:10 : Acts 22:20
  18. Acts 26:11 : Matt 10:17; Acts 22:19
  19. Acts 26:11 : Acts 9:1
  20. Acts 26:11 : Acts 22:5
  21. Acts 26:12 : Acts 26:12-18: 9:3-8; 22:6-11
  22. Acts 26:14 : Acts 9:7
  23. Acts 26:14 : Acts 21:40
  24. Acts 26:16 : Ezek 2:1; Dan 10:11
  25. Acts 26:16 : Acts 22:14
  26. Acts 26:16 : Luke 1:2
  27. Acts 26:16 : Acts 22:15
  28. Acts 26:17 : Jer 1:8, 19
  29. Acts 26:17 : 1 Chr 16:35; Acts 9:15
  30. Acts 26:18 : Is 35:5; 42:7, 16; Eph 5:8; Col 1:13; 1 Pet 2:9
  31. Acts 26:18 : John 1:5; Eph 5:8; Col 1:12f; 1 Thess 5:5; 1 Pet 2:9
  32. Acts 26:18 : Matt 4:10
  33. Acts 26:18 : Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38
  34. Acts 26:18 : Acts 20:32
  35. Acts 26:18 : Acts 20:21
  36. Acts 26:20 : Acts 9:19ff
  37. Acts 26:20 : Acts 9:26-29; 22:17-20
  38. Acts 26:20 : Acts 9:15; 13:46
  39. Acts 26:20 : Acts 3:19
  40. Acts 26:20 : Matt 3:8; Luke 3:8
  41. Acts 26:21 : Acts 21:27, 30
  42. Acts 26:21 : Acts 21:31
  43. Acts 26:22 : Luke 16:28
  44. Acts 26:22 : Acts 10:43; 24:14
  45. Acts 26:23 : Matt 26:24; Acts 3:18
  46. Acts 26:23 : 1 Cor 15:20, 23; Col 1:18; Rev 1:5
  47. Acts 26:23 : Is 42:6; 49:6; Luke 2:32; 2 Cor 4:4
  48. Acts 26:24 : John 7:15; 2 Tim 3:15
  49. Acts 26:25 : Acts 23:26; 24:3
  50. Acts 26:26 : Acts 26:3
  51. Acts 26:28 : Acts 11:26
  52. Acts 26:29 : Acts 21:33
  53. Acts 26:30 : Acts 25:23
  54. Acts 26:31 : Acts 23:29
  55. Acts 26:32 : Acts 28:18
  56. Acts 26:32 : Acts 25:11

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Acts 26 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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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Acts 26 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

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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