24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus * said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! 1Your great alearning is 2driving you mad.”

25 But Paul * said, “I am not out of my mind, amost excellent Festus, but I utter words 1of sober truth.

26 “For the king 1aknows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a 2corner.

27 “King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you 1do.”

28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “1In a short time you 2will persuade me to 3become a aChristian.”

29 And Paul said, “1I would wish to God, that whether 2in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these achains.”

30 aThe king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them,

31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “aThis man is not doing anything worthy of death or 1imprisonment.”

32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been aset free if he had not bappealed to Caesar.”