4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.c 5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.d 6 And now I stand on trial because of the hopee in what God promisedf to our ancestors, 7 the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.g 8 Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.h 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them.i 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme.j Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.