1. And Agrippa said to Paul, It is permitted thee to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching out his hand answered in his defence:
2. I count myself happy, king Agrippa, in having to answer to-day before thee concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews,
3. especially because thou art acquainted with all the customs and questions which are among the Jews; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4. My manner of life then from my youth, which from its commencement was passed among my nation in Jerusalem, know all the Jews,
5. who knew me before from the outset of my life, if they would bear witness, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6. And now I stand to be judged because of the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,
7. to which our whole twelve tribes serving incessantly day and night hope to arrive; about which hope, O king, I am accused of the Jews.
8. Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead?
9. I indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the Nazaraean.
10. Which also I did in Jerusalem, and myself shut up in prisons many of the saints, having received the authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote.
11. And often punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme. And, being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even to cities out of our own land.
12. And when, engaged in this, I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and power from the chief priests,
13. at mid-day, on the way, I saw, O king, a light above the brightness of the sun, shining from heaven round about me and those who were journeying with me.