Acts 26:8-31 in English

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

⁹ I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

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.

¹² Whereupon as 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, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.

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.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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;

¹⁷ delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,

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.

¹⁹ Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

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.

²¹ For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.

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;

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.

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.

²⁵ But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.

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.

³⁰ And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

³¹ and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

⁸ Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

⁹ I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

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.

¹² Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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;

¹⁷ Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

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.

¹⁹ Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

²⁰ But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

²¹ For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

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:

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.

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.

²⁵ But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

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.

³⁰ And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

³¹ And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

⁹ I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

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.

¹² Whereupon as 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, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.

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.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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;

¹⁷ delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,

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.

¹⁹ Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

²⁰ but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

²¹ For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.

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;

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.

²⁴ And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning doth turn thee to madness.

²⁵ But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.

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.

³⁰ And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

³¹ and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

⁸ They believe that God can cause those who have died to become alive again, so ◄why do any of you refuse to believe that he raised Jesus from the dead?/none of you should refuse to believe that he raised Jesus from the dead!► RHQ”

⁹ “ Formerly I, too, was sure that I should do everything that I could to oppose Jesus MTY, the man from Nazareth town.

¹⁰ So that is what I did when I lived in Jerusalem. I put many of the believers in jail, as the chief priests there had authorized me to do. When the Jewish leaders wanted those Christians killed {someone to kill those Christians}, I voted for that.

¹¹ Many times I punished the believers whom I found in Jewish meeting places. By punishing them, I tried to force them to speak evil about Jesus. I was so angry with the followers of Jesus that I even traveled to other cities to find them and do things to harm them.”

¹² “ One day, I was on my way to Damascus city to do that. The chief priests in Jerusalem had authorized and sent me to seize the believers there.

¹³ My respected king, while I was going along the road, at about noon I saw a bright light in the sky. It was even brighter than the sun! It shone all around me, and also around the men who were traveling with me.

¹⁴ We (exc) all fell to the ground. Then I heard the voice of someone speaking to me in my own Hebrew language MTY. He said ‘Saul, Saul, ◄stop causing me to suffer!/why are you causing me to suffer?► RHQ You (sg) are hurting yourself by trying to hurt me MET, like an ox kicking against its owner's goad.’

¹⁵ Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘I am Jesus. You (sg) are harming me by harming my followers.

¹⁶ But instead of continuing to do that, stand up now! I have appeared to you (sg) to tell you that I have chosen you to serve me. You must tell people about what I am showing you as you are seeing me now, and about what I will show you when I will later appear to you.

¹⁷ I will protect you from those who will try to harm you, both your own people and also those who are not Jewish. I am sending you to non-Jews

¹⁸ to help them to realize MTY what is true and to stop believing what is false MET. I am sending you to them so that they may let God control them and not let Satan control them anymore. Then God will forgive their sins and will accept them as his people because they believe in me.’ That is what Jesus said to me.”

¹⁹ “So, King Agrippa, I fully obeyed LIT what the Lord Jesus told me to do when he spoke to me from heaven.

²⁰ First, I preached to the Jews in Damascus. Then I preached to the Jews in Jerusalem and throughout the rest of Judea province. After that, I also preached to non-Jews. I preached that they must turn away from their sinful behavior and turn their lives over to God. I told them that they must do things that would show that they had truly stopped their sinful behavior.”

²¹ “It is because I preached this message that some SYN Jews seized me when I was in the Temple courtyard and tried to kill me.

²² However, God has been helping me from that time, and he is still helping me today. So I stand here and I tell all of you people, those who are important and those who are not, who Jesus is. Everything that I say about him is what Moses and the other prophets wrote about long ago, things that they said would happen.

²³ They wrote that people would cause the Messiah to suffer and die. They also wrote that he would be the first person to become alive again, to proclaim the message that would be like light, that he would save both his own Jewish people and non-Jewish people.”

²⁴ Before Paul could say anything further to defend himself, Festus shouted: “Paul, you are crazy! You have studied too much, and it has made you insane!”

²⁵ But Paul answered, “Your Excellency, Festus, I am not raving insanely. On the contrary, what I am saying is true and sensible!

²⁶ King Agrippa knows the things that I have been talking about, and I can speak confidently to him about them. I am sure that he knows LIT these things, because people everywhere IDM have heard LIT about what happened to Jesus.”

²⁷ Then Paul asked, “King Agrippa, do you believe what the prophets wrote? I know that you (sg) believe it.”

²⁸ Then Agrippa answered Paul, “◄ I hope that you(sg) do not think that by the few things that you have just now said you can persuade me to become a Christian!/You do not think, do you, that by the few things that you have just now said you can persuade me to become a Christian?►” RHQ

²⁹ Paul replied, “Whether it takes a short time or a long time, it does not matter. I pray to God that you and also all of the others who are listening to me today will also believe in Jesus like I do, but I do not want you to become prisoners MTY like I am.”

³⁰ Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others got up

³¹ and left the room. While they were talking to one another they said to each other, “There is no reason why ◄the authorities/we► should execute this man, or that he should even be kept in prison MTY.”

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this 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.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this 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.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this 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.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I travelled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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 travelled with me.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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 amongst those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why, in your opinion, is it outside belief for God to make the dead come to life again?

⁹ For I, truly, was of the opinion that it was right for me to do a number of things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ And this I did in Jerusalem: and numbers of the saints I put in prison, having had authority given to me from the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my decision against them.

¹¹ And I gave them punishment frequently, in all the Synagogues, forcing them to say things against God; and burning with passion against them, I went after them even into far-away towns.

¹² Then, when I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and orders of the chief priests,

¹³ In the middle of the day, on the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who were journeying with me.

¹⁴ And when we had all gone down on the earth, a voice came to me, saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you attacking me so cruelly? It is hard for you to go against the impulse which is driving you.

¹⁵ And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are attacking.

¹⁶ But get up on your feet: for I have come to you for this purpose, to make you a servant and a witness of the things in which you have seen me, and of those in which you will see me;

¹⁷ And I will keep you safe from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

¹⁸ To make their eyes open, turning them from the dark to the light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may have forgiveness of sins and a heritage among those who are made holy by faith in me.

¹⁹ So, then, King Agrippa, I did not go against the vision from heaven;

²⁰ But I went about, first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and through all the country of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, preaching a change of heart, so that they, being turned to God, might give, in their works, the fruits of a changed heart.

²¹ For this reason, the Jews took me in the Temple, and made an attempt to put me to death.

²² And so, by God's help, I am here today, witnessing to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come about;

²³ That the Christ would go through pain, and being the first to come back from the dead, would give light to the people and to the Gentiles.

²⁴ And when he made his answer in these words, Festus said in a loud voice, Paul, you are off your head; your great learning has made you unbalanced.

²⁵ Then Paul said, I am not off my head, most noble Festus, but my words are true and wise.

²⁶ For the king has knowledge of these things, to whom I am talking freely; being certain that all this is common knowledge to him; for it has not been done in secret.

²⁷ King Agrippa, have you faith in the prophets? I am certain that you have.

²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, A little more and you will be making me a Christian.

²⁹ And Paul said, It is my prayer to God that, in little or great measure, not only you, but all those hearing me today might be even as I am, but for these chains.

³⁰ And the king and the ruler and Bernice and those who were seated with them got up;

³¹ And when they had gone away they said to one another, This man has done nothing which might give cause for death or prison.

⁸ Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead?

⁹ I indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the Nazaraean.

¹⁰ Which also I did in Jerusalem, and myself shut up in prisons many of the saints, having received the authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote.

¹¹ And often punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme. And, being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even to cities out of our own land.

¹² And when, engaged in this, I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and power from the chief priests,

¹³ at mid-day, on the way, I saw, O king, a light above the brightness of the sun, shining from heaven round about me and those who were journeying with me.

¹⁴ And, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against goads.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:

¹⁶ but rise up and stand on thy feet; for, for this purpose have I appeared to thee, to appoint thee to be a servant and a witness both of what thou hast seen, and of what I shall appear to thee in,

¹⁷ taking thee out from among the people, and the nations, to whom I send thee,

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 inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

¹⁹ Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision;

²⁰ but have, first to those both in Damascus and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judaea, and to the nations, announced that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

²¹ On account of these things the Jews, having seized me in the temple, attempted to lay hands on and destroy me.

²² Having therefore met with the help which is from God, I have stood firm unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing else than those things which both the prophets and Moses have said should happen,

²³ namely, whether Christ should suffer; whether he first, through resurrection of the dead, should announce light both to the people and to the nations.

²⁴ And as he answered for his defence with these things, Festus says with a loud voice, Thou art mad, Paul; much learning turns thee to madness.

²⁵ But Paul said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter words of truth and soberness;

²⁶ for the king is informed about these things, to whom also I speak with all freedom. For I am persuaded that of these things nothing is hidden from him; for this was not done in a corner.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.

²⁹ And Paul said, I would to God, both in little and in much, that not only thou, but all who have heard me this day, should become such as I also am, except these bonds.

³⁰ And the king stood up, and the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them,

³¹ and having gone apart, they spoke to one another saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

⁸ Why should it be thought a thing incredible, that God should raise the dead?

⁹ And I indeed did formerly think, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ Which also I did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests: and when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.

¹¹ And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

¹² Whereupon when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,

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 that were in company with me.

¹⁴ And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

¹⁵ And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

¹⁶ But rise up, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister, and a witness of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things wherein I will appear to thee,

¹⁷ Delivering thee from the people, and from the nations, unto which now I send thee:

¹⁸ To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me.

¹⁹ Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision:

²⁰ But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.

²¹ For this cause the Jews, when I was in the temple, having apprehended me, went about to kill me.

²² But being aided by the help of God, I stand unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing than those which the prophets, and Moses did say should come to pass:

²³ That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

²⁴ As he spoke these things, and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.

²⁵ And Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness.

²⁶ For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with confidence. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. For neither was any of these things done in a corner.

²⁷ Believest thou the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul: In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.

²⁹ And Paul said: I would to God, that both in a little and in much, not only thou, but also all that hear me, this day, should become such as I also am, except these bands.

³⁰ And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them.

³¹ And when they were gone aside, they spoke among themselves, saying: This man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bands.

⁸ Why is it considered such an unbelievable thing by you people if God raises the dead?

⁹ “Therefore I thought in myself that it was necessary to do many hostile things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene;

¹⁰ which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were being put to death, I cast my vote against them.

¹¹ And I punished them often in all the synagogues, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even as far as to foreign cities.

¹² “In which pursuits also, as I traveled to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

¹³ at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.

¹⁴ And when we all had fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

¹⁵ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

¹⁶ But arise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will appear to you,

¹⁷ delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,

¹⁸ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, in order for them to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

²⁰ but to those first in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, proclaiming that they must repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.

²¹ Because of these things the Jews arrested me in the temple and attempted to kill me.

²² Therefore, having obtained help from God, until this day I stand, witnessing both to common people and great people, saying nothing except the things which both the prophets and Moses spoke of as being about to happen,

²³ that the Christ was to suffer, that as the first to rise from the dead, He was about to proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

²⁴ Now as he spoke these things, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul! Your higher learning is driving you to madness!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I boldly declare words of truth and reason.

²⁶ For the king knows about these things, to whom also I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things escapes his notice, since this thing was not done in a corner.

²⁷ Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time, you are persuading me to become a Christian!”

²⁹ And Paul said, “I would to God, both in a short time and a long time, that not only you, but also all who are hearing me today, would become such as I am, except for these chains.”

³⁰ When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those sitting together with them;

³¹ and when they withdrew, they were speaking among themselves, saying, “This man practices nothing worthy of death or chains.”

⁸ Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

⁹ “However, I myself thought that I had to perpetrate many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Natsorean;

¹⁰ I actually did this in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.

¹¹ Yes, I punished them often in every synagogue, trying to force them to blaspheme; I was so excessively enraged against them that I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

¹² “It was on one of those journeys, as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests,

¹³ at midday, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, blazing around me and those traveling with me.

¹⁴ Well we all fell to the ground and I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

¹⁵ So I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And He said: ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

¹⁶ Now get up and stand on your feet; because I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness both of the things you have seen and of the things I will reveal to you,

¹⁷ delivering you from ‘the people’ and the ethnic nations, to which I am sending you:

¹⁸ to open their eyes, so as to bring them back from darkness into light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified, by faith into me.’

¹⁹ Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision

²⁰ —first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to all the region of Judea and to the ethnic nations, I still preach: ‘repent and turn back to God, doing works worthy of repentance.’

²¹ That is why the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

²² So then, having experienced the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying to both small and great, saying nothing beyond what both the prophets and Moses said would happen

²³ —that the Messiah would suffer; that as the first to rise from the dead He would proclaim light to both ‘the people’ and the ethnic nations.”

²⁴ Well as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice: “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ So he said: “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus; rather I pronounce words of truth and reasonableness.

²⁶ For the king knows about these things, before whom I speak freely; for I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, since it was not done in a corner.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ So Agrippa said to Paul, “You will soon persuade me to become a Christian!”

²⁹ So Paul said, “Whether sooner or later, I would to God that not only you but also all who are hearing me this day may become such as I am, except for these chains.”

³⁰ Upon his saying this, the king stood up, along with the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them;

³¹ and when they had withdrawn they started talking among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”

⁸ Why should any of you think it's unbelievable that God raises the dead?

⁹ Previously I was sincerely convinced I should do as much as I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ This is what I did in Jerusalem. I threw many of the believers in prison, having been given authority to do this by the chief priests. When they were sentenced to death I cast my vote against them.

¹¹ I had them punished in all the synagogues, trying to make them recant. I was so furiously opposed to them that I went to cities outside our country to persecute them.

¹² That's why one day I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and orders from the chief priests.

¹³ At about noon as I was on my way, Your Majesty, I saw a light from heaven that blazed brighter than the sun. It shone around me and those who were traveling with me.

¹⁴ All of us fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It's hard for you to fight against me!’

¹⁵ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, the one you're persecuting,’ the Lord replied.

¹⁶ ‘But pick yourself up and get to your feet. The reason why I've appeared to you is to appoint you as my servant, to be a witness for me, telling others how you have seen me and everything I will reveal to you.

¹⁷ I will save you from your own people and from the foreigners. I am sending you to them

¹⁸ to open their eyes so they can turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and so that they can receive forgiveness for their sins and a place with those who are set right as they trust in me.’

¹⁹ Clearly, King Agrippa, I could not disobey this vision from heaven.

²⁰ First in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, and then all over Judea and also to the foreigners I shared the message of repentance: how they should turn to God, demonstrating their repentance through their actions.

²¹ That's why the Jews seized me in the Temple and tried to kill me.

²² God has looked after me so I can stand here today as a witness to everyone, both to ordinary people and to those who are important. I am only repeating what Moses and the prophets said would happen—

²³ how the Messiah had to suffer, and that by being the first to rise from the dead he would announce the light of God's salvation to both Jews and foreigners.”

²⁴ Festus interrupted Paul as he made his defense, shouting out, “Paul, you've gone mad! All your knowledge is driving you insane!”

²⁵ “I'm not mad, Festus your Excellency,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and makes sense.

²⁶ The king recognizes this, and I'm explaining it very clearly. I am sure that he is aware of what's been happening, because none of this took place as if it were hidden in a corner.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe what the prophets said? I'm sure you do!”

²⁸ “Do you think you can convince me to become a Christian so quickly?” Agrippa asked Paul.

²⁹ “Whether it takes a short time or a long time doesn't matter,” Paul answered. “But my prayer to God is that not just you, but everybody listening to me today would become like me—except for these chains!”

³⁰ The king stood up, along with the governor and Bernice, and everyone who had been sitting with them.

³¹ They conferred together after they had left. “This man hasn't done anything that deserves death or imprisonment,” they concluded.

⁸ Why should it be thought a thing incredible vnto you, that God should raise againe the dead?

⁹ I also verely thought in my selfe, that I ought to doe many contrarie things against the Name of Iesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ Which thing I also did in Hierusalem: for many of the Saints I shut vp in prison, hauing receiued authoritie of the hie Priests, and when they were put to death, I gaue my sentence.

¹¹ And I punished them throughout all the Synagogues, and compelled them to blaspheme, and being more mad against them, I persecuted them, euen vnto strange cities.

¹² At which time, euen as I went to Damascus with authoritie, and commission from the hie Priests,

¹³ At midday, O King, I sawe in the way a light from heauen, passing the brightnes of the sunne, shine round about mee, and them which went with me.

¹⁴ So when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voyce speaking vnto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kicke against pricks.

¹⁵ Then I sayd, Who art thou, Lord? And he sayd, I am Iesus whom thou persecutest.

¹⁶ But rise and stand vp on thy feete: for I haue appeared vnto thee for this purpose, to appoint thee a minister and a witnesse, both of the things which thou hast seene, and of the things in the which I will appeare vnto thee,

¹⁷ Deliuering thee from this people, and from the Gentiles, vnto whom now I send thee,

¹⁸ To open their eyes, that they may turne from darknes to light, and from the power of Satan vnto God, that they may receiue forgiuenes of sinnes, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by fayth in me.

¹⁹ Wherefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient vnto the heauenly vision,

²⁰ But shewed first vnto them of Damascus, and at Hierusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Iudea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turne to God, and doe workes worthy amendment of life.

²¹ For this cause the Iewes caught me in the Temple, and went about to kill me.

²² Neuertheles, I obteined helpe of God, and continue vnto this day, witnessing both to small and to great, saying none other things, then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come,

²³ To wit, that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light vnto this people, and to the Gentiles.

²⁴ And as he thus answered for himselfe, Festus said with a loude voyce, Paul, thou art besides thy selfe: much learning doeth make thee mad.

²⁵ But he said, I am not mad, O noble Festus, but I speake the wordes of trueth and sobernes.

²⁶ For the King knoweth of these things, before whom also I speake boldly: for I am perswaded that none of these things are hidden from him: for this thing was not done in a corner.

²⁷ O King Agrippa, beleeuest thou the Prophets? I know that thou beleeuest.

²⁸ Then Agrippa said vnto Paul, Almost thou perswadest me to become a Christian.

²⁹ Then Paul sayd, I would to God that not onely thou, but also all that heare me to day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

³⁰ And when he had thus spoken, the King rose vp, and the gouernour, and Bernice, and they that sate with them.

³¹ And when they were gone apart, they talked betweene themselues, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death, nor of bonds.

⁸ Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

⁹ I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

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.

¹² Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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;

¹⁷ delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

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.

¹⁹ Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

²⁰ but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

²¹ For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

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:

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.

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.

²⁵ But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

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.

³⁰ And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

³¹ and when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God raiseth the dead?

⁹ I indeed thought with myself that I ought to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.

¹⁰ Which I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints did I myself shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

¹¹ And I punished them often in all the synagogues, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

¹² And as I was going to Damascus on this business, with authority and a commission from the chief priests,

¹³ at mid-day, on the road, O king, I saw a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me.

¹⁴ And when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.

¹⁶ But arise and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to prepare thee as a minister and a witness both of the things which thou sawest, and of those on account of which I will appear to thee;

¹⁷ delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, to whom I send thee,

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 forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among the sanctified, by faith in me.

¹⁹ Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision;

²⁰ but first to those in Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the country of Judaea, and then to the gentiles, I proclaimed that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

²¹ For these causes the Jews seized me in the temple, and attempted to kill me.

²² Having, however, obtained help from God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing except those things which the Prophets and Moses said were to come to pass;

²³ that the Christ should suffer, and that, as first of those raised from the dead, he was to proclaim light both to the people and to the gentiles.

²⁴ And as he was thus speaking in his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning is making thee mad.

²⁵ But he saith, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but utter words of truth and soberness.

²⁶ For the king knoweth about these things well; to whom also I speak boldly; for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him: for this was not done in a corner.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the Prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, With little effort thou thinkest to persuade me to become a Christian.

²⁹ And Paul said, I would to God, that with little effort or with great, not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, might be made such as I am, except these bonds.

³⁰ And the king rose up and the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them;

³¹ and going aside they talked with each other, saying, This man is doing nothing deserving death, or bonds.

⁸ Why do you all hold it incredible that God should raise the dead?

⁹ I myself, it is true, once thought it my duty to oppose in every way the name of Jesus of Nazareth;

¹⁰ and I actually did so at Jerusalem. Acting on the authority of the chief priests, I myself threw many of the people of Christ into prison, and, when it was proposed to put them to death, I gave my vote for it.

¹¹ Time after time, in every synagogue, I tried by punishments to force them to blaspheme. So frantic was I against them, that I pursued them even to towns beyond our borders.

¹² It was while I was travelling to Damascus on an errand of this kind, entrusted with full powers by the chief priests,

¹³ that at midday, your Majesty, I saw right in my path, coming from the heavens, a light brighter than the glare of the sun, which shone all around me and those travelling with me.

¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and then I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew — ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? By kicking against the goad you are punishing yourself.’

¹⁵ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;

¹⁶ but get up and stand upright; for I have appeared to you in order to appoint you a servant and a witness of those revelations of me which you have already had, and of those in which I will yet appear to you,

¹⁷ since I am choosing you out from your own people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

¹⁸ to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; so that they may receive pardon for their sins, and a place amongst those who have become God's people, by faith in me.’

¹⁹ After that, King Agrippa, I did not fail to obey the heavenly vision;

²⁰ on the contrary, first to those at Damascus and Jerusalem, and then through the whole of Judea, and to the Gentiles as well, I began to preach repentance and conversion to God, and a life befitting that repentance.

²¹ This is why some men seized me in the Temple, and made attempts on my life.

²² However I have received help from God to this very day, and so stand here, and bear my testimony to high and low alike — without adding a word to what the prophets, as well as Moses, declared should happen —

²³ That the Christ must suffer, and that, by rising from the dead, he was destined to be the first to bring news of light, not only to our nation, but also to the Gentiles.”

²⁴ While Paul was making this defence, Festus called out loudly, “You are mad, Paul; your great learning is driving you mad.”

²⁵ “I am not mad, your Excellency,” he replied; “on the contrary, the statements that I am making are true and sober.

²⁶ Indeed, the king knows about these matters, so I speak before him without constraint. I am sure that there is nothing whatever of what I have been telling him that has escaped his attention; for all this has not been done in a corner.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

²⁸ But Agrippa said to Paul, “You are soon trying to make a Christian of me!”

²⁹ “Whether it is soon or late,” answered Paul, “I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me, might today become just what I am myself — except for these chains!”

³⁰ Then the king rose, with the Governor and Bernice and those who had been sitting with them,

³¹ and, after retiring, discussed the case amongst themselves. “There is nothing,” they said, “deserving death or imprisonment in this man's conduct”;

⁸ Why do you all hold it incredible that God should raise the dead?

⁹ I myself, it is true, once thought it my duty to oppose in every way the name of Jesus of Nazareth;

¹⁰ and I actually did so at Jerusalem. Acting on the authority of the chief priests, I myself threw many of the people of Christ into prison, and, when it was proposed to put them to death, I gave my vote for it.

¹¹ Time after time, in every synagogue, I tried by punishments to force them to blaspheme. So frantic was I against them, that I pursued them even to towns beyond our borders.

¹² It was while I was traveling to Damascus on an errand of this kind, entrusted with full powers by the chief priests,

¹³ that at midday, your Majesty, I saw right in my path, coming from the heavens, a light brighter than the glare of the sun, which shone all around me and those traveling with me.

¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and then I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew — ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? By kicking against the goad you are punishing yourself.’

¹⁵ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;

¹⁶ but get up and stand upright; for I have appeared to you in order to appoint you a servant and a witness of those revelations of me which you have already had, and of those in which I will yet appear to you,

¹⁷ since I am choosing you out from your own people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

¹⁸ to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; so that they may receive pardon for their sins, and a place among those who have become God's people, by faith in me.’

¹⁹ After that, King Agrippa, I did not fail to obey the heavenly vision;

²⁰ on the contrary, first to those at Damascus and Jerusalem, and then through the whole of Judea, and to the Gentiles as well, I began to preach repentance and conversion to God, and a life befitting that repentance.

²¹ This is why some men seized me in the Temple, and made attempts on my life.

²² However I have received help from God to this very day, and so stand here, and bear my testimony to high and low alike — without adding a word to what the prophets, as well as Moses, declared should happen —

²³ That the Christ must suffer, and that, by rising from the dead, he was destined to be the first to bring news of light, not only to our nation, but also to the Gentiles.”

²⁴ While Paul was making this defense, Festus called out loudly, “You are mad, Paul; your great learning is driving you mad.”

²⁵ “I am not mad, your Excellency,” he replied; “on the contrary, the statements that I am making are true and sober.

²⁶ Indeed, the king knows about these matters, so I speak before him without constraint. I am sure that there is nothing whatever of what I have been telling him that has escaped his attention; for all this has not been done in a corner.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

²⁸ But Agrippa said to Paul, “You are soon trying to make a Christian of me!”

²⁹ “Whether it is soon or late,” answered Paul, “I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me, might today become just what I am myself — except for these chains!”

³⁰ Then the king rose, with the Governor and Bernice and those who had been sitting with them,

³¹ and, after retiring, discussed the case among themselves. “There is nothing,” they said, “deserving death or imprisonment in this man's conduct”;

⁸ You see, you mob don’t believe that God can make dead people alive again. But he can. Why can’t you believe it?”

⁹ Paul kept talking, he said, “You know, at one time I thought I had to stop people from following Jesus, the man from Nazareth. I did a lot of things to try to stop them.

¹⁰ I started in Jerusalem. I put a lot of Christians in jail. The bosses of the Jewish ceremonies told me to do that. And if they judged any of those Christians and said, ‘Kill them,’ I agreed with them, and I said that too.

¹¹ I often punished the Christians that were in the Jewish meeting houses. I tried to get them to say bad things about Jesus. I was so angry with Jesus’s followers that I even went to other towns to get them.”

¹² Paul kept telling his story. He said, “The bosses of the Jewish ceremonies in Jerusalem said I can go to Damascus to grab the Christians there, so I started to go to Damascus to look for the Christians.

¹³ And then, boss, while I was going along the road, about the middle of the day, I saw a bright light in the sky. It was even brighter than the sun. It shone all around me, and the men that were with me.

¹⁴ We all fell down on to the ground. Then I heard the voice of somebody talking to me in the Hebrew language, he said, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you making trouble for me and hurting me? You are hurting yourself too, you know.’

¹⁵ Then I asked, ‘Who are you, boss?’ That boss said to me, ‘I am Jesus. You are making trouble for me and hurting me. Whenever you hurt my followers, you are hurting me too.

¹⁶ But stop doing that and get up, and stand on your feet. Listen, I came to you like this now to pick you to be my worker. I want you to tell everyone everywhere about the things you have seen, and tell them about the things that I will show you later.

¹⁷ And if anyone tries to kill you, I will save you from them. I will save you from your own Jewish people, and I will save you from people that are not Jewish. You see, I will send you to other countries, to people that are not Jews,

¹⁸ and you will tell them the true message about me. It will be like you will open their eyes to see things properly. They will come to God. Satan will not control them any more with his power, like they will not be in the dark any more, but they will be in the light. They will believe in me, and they will stop believing lies. And then God will say they are not guilty of the bad things they did, and they will be God’s people.’ Jesus said that to me.”

¹⁹ Paul kept talking to them, he said, “It happened like that, Boss Agrippa. Jesus talked to me from heaven, and I did everything he told me to do.

²⁰ I told a lot of people to stop doing bad things and turn to God, and to start doing good things to show that they are following God now. At first I told that message to the Jews in Damascus, then I told it to the Jews in Jerusalem, and I told it to the Jews in Judea country. After that, I told it to people that are not Jews.”

²¹ And Paul said, “I told everyone this message, but some of the Jewish people didn’t like it, so they grabbed me and they tried to kill me. They did that in God’s ceremony house.

²² But God helped me. You see, God helps me all the time, and he is still helping me now. So I’m standing here now telling you mob about Jesus. I’m telling this message to you big bosses, and I’m telling it to all you other people too. I’m telling you that Jesus is the special person that God sent to us. That message is already in God’s book. I’m saying things that Moses and God’s other men wrote, a long time ago, about something that was going to happen, that people will hurt God’s special person and kill him, but then he will be the first person that God will make alive again. Then he will tell everyone that God can save them. In this way he will be like a light for them. He will be a light for both Jewish people, and people that are not Jews.”

²⁴ While Paul was talking Festus suddenly shouted, “Paul, you are mad. You have been reading too much, and now you are mad.”

²⁵ But Paul said, “No, Festus Sir, I’m not mad. I’m talking in a true and sensible way.

²⁶ The big boss here knows about these things, so I can talk to him and I know he will understand. You see, people everywhere have heard about Jesus.”

²⁷ Then Paul said, “Boss Agrippa, do you believe the message God’s men wrote in his book? Yes, I know you believe it.”

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have just been talking to me for a little while. Don’t think you can get me to become a Christian so quick.”

²⁹ Paul said, “It doesn’t matter if it is quick, or if it takes a long time. I’m asking God that you and everyone that is listening to me will believe in Jesus, like I do. I want you to be just like I am now. But I don’t want you to be a prisoner like I am now.”

³⁰ Then those 2 big bosses stood up, and Bernice, and all the others there, they all got up,

³¹ and they all went out of that room. While they were going out they said to each other, “This man didn’t do anything bad. We don’t have to kill him, or even keep him in jail.”

⁸ Why shuld it be thought a thinge vncredible vnto you that god shuld rayse agayne the deed?

⁹ I also verely thought in my selfe that I ought to do many cotrary thinges clene agaynst the name of Iesus of Nazareth:

¹⁰ which thinge I also dyd in Ierusalem. Where many of the sainctes I shut vp in preson and had receaved auctorite of the hye prestes. And when they were put to deeth I gave the sentence.

¹¹ And I punysshed them ofte in every synagoge and compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad apon them and persecuted the even vnto straunge cities.

¹² About the which thinges as I went to Damasco with auctorite and licence of the hye Prestes

¹³ even at myddaye (o kynge) I sawe in the waye a lyght from heven above the brightnes of the sunne shyne rounde about me and them which iorneyed with me.

¹⁴ When we were all fallen to the erth I hearde a voyce speakynge vnto me and sayinge in the Hebrue tonge: Saul Saul why persecutest thou me? It is harde for the to kicke agaynste the pricke.

¹⁵ And I sayde: Who arte thou lorde? And he sayde I am Iesus whom thou persecutest.

¹⁶ But ryse and stond vp on thy fete. For I have apered vnto the for this purpose to make the a minister and a witnes both of tho thinges which thou hast sene and of tho thinges in the which I will appere vnto the

¹⁷ delyverynge the from the people and from the gentyls vnto which nowe I sende the

¹⁸ to open their eyes that they myght turne from darcknes vnto lyght and from the power of Satan vnto God that they maye receave forgevenes of synnes and inheritaunce amonge the which are sanctified by fayth in me.

¹⁹ Wherfore kynge Agrippa I was not disobedient vnto the hevenly vision:

²⁰ but shewed fyrst vnto them of Damasco and at Ierusalem and thorow out all the costes of Iewry and to the gentyls that they shuld repent and turne to God and do the ryght workes of repentaunce.

²¹ For this cause the Iewes caught me in the temple and went about to kyll me.

²² Neverthelesse I obtayned helpe of God and cotynew vnto this daye witnessyng bothe to small and to greate saying none other thinges then those which the prophetes and Moses dyd saye shuld come

²³ that Christ shulde suffre and that he shuld be the fyrst that shulde ryse from deeth and shuld shewe lyght vnto the people and the gentyls.

²⁴ As he thus answered for him selfe: Festus sayde with a lowde voyce: Paul thou arte besides thy selfe. Moche learnynge hath made the mad.

²⁵ And Paul sayde: I am not mad most dere Festus: but speake the wordes of trueth and sobernes.

²⁶ The kynge knoweth of these thinges before whom I speke frely: nether thynke I that eny of these thinges are hydden from him. For this thinge was not done in a corner.

²⁷ Kynge Agrippa belevest thou the prophetes? I wote well thou belevest.

²⁸ Agrippa sayde vnto Paul: Sumwhat thou bringest me in mynde for to be come a Christen.

²⁹ And Paul sayd: I wolde to God that not only thou: but also all that heare me to daye were not sumwhat only but altogeder soche as I am except these bondes.

³⁰ And when he had thus spoken the kynge rose vp and the debite and Bernice and they that sate with them.

³¹ And when they were gone aparte they talked betwene them selves sayinge: This man doeth nothinge worthy of deeth nor of bondes.

⁸ Why should any of you think it is unbelievable that God raises the dead?

⁹ Now indeed, I myself thought that I should do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I did these in Jerusalem. I locked up many of the saints in prison by the authority I received from the chief priests, and when they were killed, I cast my vote against them.

¹¹ I punished them many times in all the synagogues and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was furiously enraged against them and I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

¹² While I was doing this, I went to Damascus with authority and orders from the chief priests;

¹³ and on the way there, at midday, King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun and it shone around both me and the men who were traveling with me.

¹⁴ When we all fell to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me that said in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick a goad.'

¹⁵ Then I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' The Lord replied, 'I am Jesus whom you persecute.

¹⁶ Now get up and stand on your feet; because for this purpose I appeared to you, to appoint you to be a servant and a witness concerning the things that you know about me now and the things that I will show to you later;

¹⁷ and I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you,

¹⁸ to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive from God the forgiveness of sins and the inheritance that I give to them who are sanctified by faith in me.'

¹⁹ Therefore, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the heavenly vision;

²⁰ but, to those in Damascus first, and then at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, I gave them the message that that they should repent and turn to God, doing deeds worthy of repentance.

²¹ For this cause the Jews arrested me in the temple and tried to kill me.

²² God has helped me until now, so I stand and testify to the common people and to the great ones about nothing more than what the prophets and Moses said would happen—

²³ that Christ must suffer and that by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our own people and to the Gentiles.”

²⁴ As Paul completed his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are insane; your great learning makes you insane.”

²⁵ But Paul said, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus, but what I am declaring is true and rational.

²⁶ For the king knows about these things; and so, I speak freely to him, for I am persuaded that none of this is hidden from him; for this has not been done in a corner.

²⁷ Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me and make me a Christian?”

²⁹ Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether in a short or long time, not you only, but also all that hear me today, would be like me, but without these prison chains.”

³⁰ Then the king stood up, and the governor, and Bernice also, and those who were sitting with them;

³¹ when they left the hall, they talked to one another and said, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this 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.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this 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.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I travelled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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 travelled with me.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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 amongst those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

⁹ I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

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 .

¹¹ And I punished them often in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

¹² Upon which as I went to Damascus, with authority and commission from the chief priests,

¹³ At mid-day, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, surpassing the brightness of the sun, shining around me, and them who journeyed with me.

¹⁴ And when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

¹⁶ But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of the things in which I will appear to thee;

¹⁷ Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee,

¹⁸ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.

¹⁹ Upon which O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.

²⁰ But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

²¹ For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me .

²² Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

²³ That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

²⁴ And as he was thus speaking for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee insane.

²⁵ But he said, I am not insane, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

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.

³⁰ And when he had thus spoken, the king rose, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

³¹ And when they had gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death, or of bonds.

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Yeshua of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the holy ones in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

²³ how the Messiah 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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Messianic?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?

⁹ “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Yeshua of Nazareth.

¹⁰ I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the holy ones in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.

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.

¹² “Whereupon as I travelled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,

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 travelled with me.

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.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting.

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;

¹⁷ delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

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 amongst those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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.

²¹ For this reason Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

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,

²³ how the Messiah 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.”

²⁴ As he thus made his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

²⁵ But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.

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.

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Messianic?”

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.”

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

⁸ What unbelieveful thing is deemed at you, if God raiseth dead men?

⁹ And soothly I guessed, that I ought to do many contrary things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ Which thing also I did in Jeru-salem, and I enclosed many of the saints in prison, when I had taken power of the princes of priests. And when they were slain, I brought or I gave the sentence.

¹¹ And by all synagogues oft I punished them, and constrained to blaspheme; and more I waxed mad against them, and pursued till into alien cities.

¹² In which, the while I went to Damascus, with power and suffering of the princes of priests,

¹³ at midday, in the way I saw, sir king, that from heaven a light shined about me, passing the shining of the sun, and about them that were together with me.

¹⁴ And when we all had fallen down into the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, what persecutest or pursuest thou me? it is hard to or for thee, to kick against the prick.

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest or pursuest.

¹⁶ But rise up, and stand on thy feet. For why to this thing I appeared to thee, that I ordain thee minister and witness of those things that thou hast seen, and of those things in which I shall show or shall appear to thee.

¹⁷ And I shall deliver thee from peoples and folks, to which now I send thee,

¹⁸ to open the eyes of them, that they be converted or turned from darkness to light, and from power of Satan to God, that they take remission of sins, and part among saints, by faith that is in me.

¹⁹ Wherefore, sir king Agrippa, I was not unbelieveful to the heavenly vision;

²⁰ but I told or I showed to them, that be at Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and by all the country of Judea, and to heathen men, that they should do penance, and be converted to God, and do worthy works of penance.

²¹ For this cause, Jews took me, when I was in the temple, to slay me.

²² But I was helped by the help of God till into this day, and stand, witnessing to less and to more. And I say nothing else than which things the prophets and Moses spake that shall come,

²³ if Christ is to suffer, if he is the first of the again-rising of dead men, that shall show light to the people and to heathen men.

²⁴ When he spake these things, and yielded reason, Festus said with great voice, Paul, thou maddest or thou waxest mad; many letters turn thee to madness.

²⁵ And Paul said, I mad not, thou best Festus, but I speak out the words of truth and of soberness.

²⁶ For also the king, to whom I speak steadfastly, knoweth of these things; for I deem, that nothing of these is hid from him; for neither in a corner was aught of these things done.

²⁷ Believest thou, king Agrippa, to prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, In little thing thou counselest me for to be made a christian man.

²⁹ And Paul said, I desire with God, both in little and in great, not only thee, but all these that hear today, to be made such as I am, except these bonds.

³⁰ And the king rose up, and the president, and Bernice, and they that sat nigh to them.

³¹ And when they went away, they spake together, and said, That this man hath not done anything worthy death, neither or bonds.

⁸ What unbelieveful thing is deemed at you, if God raiseth dead men? (Why is it so unbelievable in your judgement, that God raiseth the dead?)

⁹ And soothly I guessed, that I ought to do many contrary things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

¹⁰ Which thing(s) also I did in Jerusalem, and I enclosed many of the saints in prison, when I had taken power of the princes of (the) priests. And when they were slain, I brought the sentence or I gave the sentence. (Which things I did in Jerusalem, and I imprisoned many of God’s people, when I had been given the authority by the high priests. And when it was deemed that they should be executed, I voted for that punishment, or for that sentence.)

¹¹ And by all synagogues oft I punished them, and constrained (them) to blaspheme; and more I waxed mad against them, and pursued (them) till into alien cities. (And in all the synagogues I often punished them, and compelled them to blaspheme; and I grew more mad against them, and I persecuted them even in foreign cities.)

¹² In which, the while I went to Damascus, with power and suffering of the princes of (the) priests, (In which, while I was on my way to Damascus, with power and authority from the high priests,)

¹³ at midday, in the way I saw, sir king, or thou king, (or in the middle of the day, on the way I saw, O King), that from heaven a light shined about me, (sur)passing the shining of the sun, and about them that were together with me.

¹⁴ And when we all had fallen down into the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in (the) Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, what pursuest thou me? it is hard to thee, to kick against the prick, or it is hard for thee, to kick against the prick. (And after we all had fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee, to kick against the prod.)

¹⁵ And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou pursuest, (or I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest).

¹⁶ But rise up, and stand on thy feet. For why to this thing I appeared to thee, that I ordain thee minister and witness of those things that thou hast seen, and of those things in which I shall show to thee or and of those things in which I shall appear to thee. (But rise up, and stand on thy feet. Because I have appeared to thee for this reason, so that I can ordain thee to be my servant and witness of those things that thou hast seen, and of those things which I shall yet show to thee or in which I shall yet appear to thee.)

¹⁷ And I shall deliver thee from (the) peoples and folks, to which now I send thee, (And I shall rescue thee from the peoples and nations, to whom I now send thee,)

¹⁸ to open the eyes of them, that they be converted or turned from darkness to light, and from (the) power of Satan to God, that they take remission of sins, and (their) part among (the) saints, by faith that is in me. (to open their eyes, so that they be turned from the darkness to the light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they receive forgive-ness for their sins, and their place among God’s people, by their faith that is in me.)

¹⁹ Wherefore, sir king Agrippa or thou king Agrippa, I was not unbelieveful to the heavenly vision; (And so, O King Agrippa, I did not disobey the heavenly vision;)

²⁰ but I told or I showed to them, that be at Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and by all the country of Judea, and to (the) heathen men, that they should do penance, and be converted to God, and do worthy works of penance. (but I told first to those who be at Damascus, and then to those at Jerusalem, and then to those throughout all the country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and be converted to God, and do worthy works of repentance.)

²¹ For this cause, (the) Jews took (hold of) me, when I was in the temple, to slay me or and would slay me. (And because of this, or for this reason, the Jews took hold of me, when I was in the Temple, to kill me.)

²² But I was helped by the help of God till into this day, and stand, witnessing to less and to more (or testifying to the least and to the greatest). And I say nothing else than which things the prophets and Moses spake that shall come,

²³ if Christ is to suffer, if he is the first of the again-rising of dead men or if (he is) the first of the again-rising of (the) dead, that shall show light to the people and to heathen men. (that the Messiah is to suffer, and that he is the first of the resurrection of the dead, who shall show light to the (Jewish) people and to the Gentiles.)

²⁴ When he spake these things, and yielded reason, Festus said with (a) great voice, Paul, thou maddest, or Paul, thou waxest (or thou growest) mad; many letters turn thee to madness. (And when he had said these things, and made his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; too much study hath driven thee mad.)

²⁵ And Paul said, I mad not, thou best Festus, (or But Paul said, I am not mad, O most excellent Festus), but I speak out the words of truth and of soberness.

²⁶ For also the king, to whom I speak steadfastly, knoweth of these things; for I deem, that nothing of these is hid from him (or that none of this is hidden from him); for neither in a corner was aught (or anything) of these things done.

²⁷ Believest thou, king Agrippa, to prophets? I know that thou believest.

²⁸ And Agrippa said to Paul, In little thing thou counselest me for to be made a christian man(?).

²⁹ And Paul said, I desire with God, both in little and in great (or both for the least and the greatest), (yea), not only (for) thee, but (for) all these (people) that hear (me) today, to be made such as I am, except (for) these bonds.

³⁰ And the king rose up, and the president, and Bernice, and they that sat nigh to them.

³¹ And when they went away, they spake together, and said, That this man hath not done anything worthy (of) death, neither (of) bonds or (of) bonds. (And when they went away, they spoke together, and said, This man hath not done anything worthy of death, or of bondage, or imprisonment.)

⁸ why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

⁹ 'I, indeed, therefore, thought with myself, that against the name of Jesus of Nazareth it behoved me many things to do,

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,

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.

¹² 'In which things, also, going on to Damascus — with authority and commission from the chief priests —

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;

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!

¹⁵ 'And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute;

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,

¹⁷ delivering thee from the people, and the nations, to whom now I send thee,

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.

¹⁹ 'Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

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;

²¹ because of these things the Jews — having caught me in the temple — were endeavouring to kill me.

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,

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.'

²⁴ And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, 'Thou art mad, Paul; much learning doth turn thee mad;'

²⁵ and he saith, 'I am not mad, most noble Festus, but of truth and soberness the sayings I speak forth;

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;

²⁷ thou dost believe, king Agrippa, the prophets? I have known that thou dost believe!'

²⁸ And Agrippa said unto Paul, 'In a little thou dost persuade me to become a Christian!'

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.'

³⁰ And, he having spoken these things, the king rose up, and the governor, Bernice also, and those sitting with them,

³¹ and having withdrawn, they were speaking unto one another, saying — 'This man doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds;'