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cause I was doubtful about an inquiry into such matters, I asked Paul whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem, 21 and there to be judged about these things. But when

Paul had appealed to be reserved to the determination of the August Emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I 22 could send him to Cæsar." Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I myself also desire to hear the man:" "Tomorrow," saith he, "thou shalt hear him."

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On the morrow therefore, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing, together with the commanders and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul 24 was brought. Then Festus saith, "King Agrippa, and all that are here present with us, ye see this man, concerning whom * all the multitude of the Jews have applied to me, both at Jerusalem, and here also, crying 25 out that he ought not to live any longer. But I having found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and he himself having appealed to the August Emperor, 26 I have determined to send [him]. Of whom I have nothing certain to write to our Sovereign. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination, I may† 27 have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not to signify the charges also made against him.”

CH. XXVI. Upon this Agrippa said to Paul, "Thou art permitted to speak for thyself." Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:

2 "I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I shall make my defence this day before thee, concerning all the 3 things of which I am accused by the Jews: because thou very well knowest all the customs and questions which are among the Jews. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

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4 "All the Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which was passed from the beginning among mine own 5 nation at Jerusalem: and these have knowledge of me from the first, (if they be willing to testify,) that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the pro7 mise which God made to our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, serving God with earnestness day and night, hope to come: concerning which hope, O 8 king [Agrippa], I am accused by the Jews. What* ? is it esteemed among you a thing incredible, that God should raise the dead?

9 "I indeed thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth: 10 which things I did also in Jerusalem and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief-priests; and, when they were put to 11 death, I gave my vote against them: and I punished them often in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and, being exceedingly mad against them, I 12 persecuted them even to foreign cities. At which time. [also,] as I was going to Damascus, with authority and 13 commission from the chief-priests, at mid-day, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, which shone round about me and those 14 who journeyed with me. And, when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou 15 me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.' And I said, Who art thou, Sir?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, 16 whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand on thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of these things

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*Why is it, &c. N. See Newcome's margin, This punctuation is favoured by the authority of nearly all the translators.

which thou hast seen, and of those in which I will ap17 pear unto thee; delivering thee from the people of the Jews; and from the gentiles, unto whom I now send 18 thee, 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 inheritance among those that are sanctified, by faith in me.'

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"Wherefore, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to 20 the heavenly vision: but declared first to those in Damascus, and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and then to the gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repent21 ance. For these causes the Jews seized me in the temple, and attempted to kill me.

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"Having therefore obtained help from God, to this day, I continue witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which both the pro23 phets and Moses spake of as about to come: that Christ

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should suffer; and that he, being the first who rose from the dead, should announce light to the people of the Jews, and to the gentiles."

And as he was thus making his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, thou art mad: much learn25 ing driveth thee to madness." Then Paul saith, “I am

not mad, most excellent Festus; but utter the words of 26 truth and of a sound mind. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom therefore I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from 27 him for this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest 28 them." Then Agrippa [said] to Paul, "Thou almost 29 persuadest me to become a Christian." And Paul [said,] "I would to God, that not thou only, but all likewise that hear me this day, were almost and even altogether

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* before whom I even speak, N.

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