20. On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached the need to repent and turn to God, and to do works giving evidence of repentance.
21. That is why the Jews seized me [when I was] in the temple and tried to kill me.
22. But I have enjoyed God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here testifying to small and great alike, saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses foretold,
23. that the Messiah must suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24. While Paul was so speaking in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul; much learning is driving you mad.”
25. But Paul replied, “I am not mad, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and reason.
26. The king knows about these matters and to him I speak boldly, for I cannot believe that [any] of this has escaped his notice; this was not done in a corner.
27. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”
28. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You will soon persuade me to play the Christian.”
29. Paul replied, “I would pray to God that sooner or later not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains.”
30. Then the king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and the others who sat with them.
31. And after they had withdrawn they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing [at all] that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32. And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”