Acts 26:24–32

²⁴At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,^e Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning^f is driving you insane.”

²⁵“I am not insane, most excellent^g Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. ²⁶The king is familiar with these things,^h and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. ²⁷King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

²⁸Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”ⁱ

²⁹Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”^j

³⁰The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice^k and those sitting with them. ³¹After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”^l

³²Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free^m if he had not appealed to Caesar.”ⁿ