1 But Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak on your own behalf {huper: in your favor}.” Then Paul, having stretched out his hand, began to make his defense {apologeito: formal legal reply}.
2 Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I have considered myself fortunate {makarion: truly fortunate} before you, being about to defend {apologeisthai: make formal defense} myself today.
3 Especially because you are an expert in all the customs {ethon: ancestral practices} and questions that concern the Jews, I therefore beg you to hear me patiently {makrothymos: enduring consideration}.
4 So then, all the Jews know my manner of life {biosis: established conduct} from my youth, which from the beginning took place among my nation {ethnos: own people-group} and in Jerusalem.
5 They have known me from the beginning {anothen: from earliest days}, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee {Pharisaios: strict religious party}.
6 And now I stand being judged for the hope of the promise that was made by God {Theos, Faithful Promise-Giver} to our fathers {pateras: ancestors of Israel}.
7 To which our twelve tribes {dodeka-phylon: united Israel}, serving with earnest devotion night and day, hope to attain; concerning which hope I am accused {enkaloumai: formally charged} by Jews, O king.
8 Why is it considered unbelievable by you that God {Theos, Almighty Life-Raiser} raises the dead {nekrous: lifeless ones}?
9 I indeed therefore thought to myself that I ought to do many things contrary {enantia: actively opposed} to the name of Jesus the Nazarene {Iesous, One called Nazarene}.
10 Which also I did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints {hagion: persecuted believers} I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were being put to death I cast my vote {psephon: legal verdict} against them.
11 And in all the synagogues I often punished {timoron: inflicting penalties} them, and I compelled them to blaspheme {blasphemein: speak irreverently}; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even as far as the outer cities.
12 In these circumstances {hois: these events}, as I was journeying to Damascus {Damaskon: key city on my route} with authority and a commission from the chief priests.
13 At midday {hemera: brightest time}, O king, along the road I saw a light {phos: overwhelming glory} from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those journeying with me.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me {Iesous, Confronting Lord}? It is hard for you to kick against the goads {kentra: sharp cattle prods}.’
15 And I said, “Who are You, Lord {Kyrios, Heavenly Confronter}?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus {Iesous, Risen Lord}, whom you are persecuting.”
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I {Iesous, Risen Commissioner} have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as a servant and a witness {martyra: truth witness} both of the things you have seen of Me and of the things in which I will appear to you.
17 I am rescuing you from the people and from the nations {ethne: non-Jewish peoples}; to these I {Iesous, Risen Sender} am sending you.
18 To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness into light, and from the authority of Satan to God {Theos, Gracious Deliverer}, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance {kleros: promised portion} among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
19 Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient {apeithes: refusing obedience} to the heavenly vision {optasia: divine appearance}.
20 But to those in Damascus first, and also in Jerusalem and all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles {ethne: non-Jewish peoples}, I was declaring that they should repent and turn to God {Theos, Repentance Receiver}, doing works worthy of repentance.
21 For these reasons {touton: previous accusations} the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to do away with me {diacheirisasthai: kill deliberately}.
22 Therefore, having obtained help from God {Theos, Faithful Helper}, I have stood until this day, testifying to both small and great {megalō: people of high rank}, saying nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass.
23 That the Christ {Christos, Suffering Redeemer} must suffer, and that, as the first from the resurrection of the dead, He is to proclaim light {phos: saving illumination} both to the people and to the nations.
24 But as he was defending himself, Festus {Phestos: Roman governor} said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are insane; your great learning {grammata: writings or education} is driving you to madness.”
25 But Paul said, “I am not mad {mainomai: irrational or deranged}, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking words of truth {aletheia: reliable reality} and sound judgment.”
26 For the king {basileus: highest civil ruler} knows about these things, before whom I also speak freely {parresiazomenos: open public speech}; for I am convinced that nothing of these things has escaped his notice, for this thing has not been done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa {Agrippa: Jewish ruler}, do you believe the prophets {prophetai: inspired speakers}? I know that you believe.
28 But Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time {oligo: brief span} you are persuading me to become a Christian {Christianon: follower of Christ}.”
29 But Paul said, “I would wish to God {Theos, Hearer Of Prayer} that, whether in a little or in much, not only you but also all who are hearing me today might become such as I am—except for these chains {desmon: physical restraints}.”
30 Then the king {basileus: leading royal authority} arose, and the governor and also Bernice, and those {synkathemenoi: seated attendants} sitting with them.
31 And having withdrawn, they were speaking to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death {thanatos: capital punishment} or imprisonment {desmon: physical restraint}.”
32 But Agrippa said to Festus, “This man {anthropos: human defendant} could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar {Kaisar: Imperial Judge}.”