13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: k“There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, 15 labout whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. 16 mTo them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man 2to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come together, nwithout any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I 3supposed, 19 obut had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul pappealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then qAgrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”
“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great 4pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command rPaul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom sthe whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was tnot fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that uhe had committed nothing deserving of death, vand that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself ahappy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer bfor myself before you concerning all the things of which I am caccused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to dthe strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 eAnd now I stand and am judged for the hope of fthe promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise gour twelve tribes, earnestly serving God hnight and day, ihope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 j“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things 1contrary to the name of kJesus of Nazareth. 10 lThis I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority mfrom the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 nAnd 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 o“While thus occupied, as I journeyed 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 who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen 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 rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, pto make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will 2deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, qto whom I 3now send you, 18 rto open their eyes, in order sto turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, tthat they may receive forgiveness of sins and uan inheritance among those who are vsanctified 4by faith in Me.’
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About The New King James VersionThe New King James Version is a total update of the 1611 King James Version, also known as the "Authorized Version." Every attempt has been made to maintain the beauty of the original version while updating the English grammar to contemporary style and usage. The result is much better "readability." It is noteworthy that the NKJV is one of the few modern translations still based on the "Western" or "Byzantine" manuscript tradition. This makes the New King James Version an invaluable aid to comparative English Bible study. |
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