Paul Makes His Defense Before King Agrippa
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
1 (A)Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
1 Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.”Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
1 Then Agrippa told Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are [now] permitted to speak on your own behalf.” At that, Paul stretched out his hand [as an orator] and made his defense [as follows]:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
2 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today;
2 “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defense before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews,
2 "I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, that I can defend myself today against all the accusations of the Jewish leaders,
2 “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, since it is before you that I am to make my defense today regarding all the charges brought against me by the Jews,
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
3 (a)especially because you are an expert in all (B)customs and (b)questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
3 especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
3 since you are especially familiar with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen patiently to me.
3 especially because you are an expert [fully knowledgeable, experienced and unusually conversant] in all the Jewish customs and controversial issues; therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
4 “So then, all Jews know (C)my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;
4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem.(A)
4 All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem.
4 “So then, all the Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation [the Jewish people], and in Jerusalem.
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a (D)Pharisee (E)according to the strictest (F)sect of our religion.
5 They had previously known me for quite some time, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.(B)
5 They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the standards of our strictest religious party.
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
7 the promise (I)to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this (J)hope, O King, I am being (K)accused by Jews.
7 the promise our 12 tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve Him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.(E)
7 Our twelve tribes, worshiping day and night with intense devotion, hope to attain it. It is because of this hope, O King, that I am accused by the Jews.
7 Which hope [of the Messiah and the resurrection] our twelve tribes [confidently] expect to realize as they serve and worship God in earnest night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews!
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
8 Why is it considered incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
8 Why is it thought incredible by all of you that God should raise the dead?
8 Why is it thought incredible by [any of] you that God raises the dead?
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
9 “So then, (M)I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to (N)the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
9 In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.(F)
9 Indeed, I myself thought it my duty to take extreme measures against the name of Jesus from Nazareth.
9 “So then, I [once] thought to myself that it was my duty to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
10 And this is (d)just what I (O)did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the (e)saints in prisons, having (P)received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I (Q)cast my vote against them.
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 cast my vote against them.(G)
10 That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the high priests and locked many of the saints in prison. And when I cast my vote against them, they were put to death.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
11 And (R)as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being (S)furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them (T)even to (f)foreign cities.
11 In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them.(H) I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them.
11 I would even punish them frequently in every synagogue and try to make them blaspheme. Raging furiously against them, I would hunt them down even in distant cities.
11 And I often punished them [making them suffer] in all the synagogues and tried to force them to blaspheme; and in my extreme rage at them, I kept hunting them even to foreign cities [harassing and persecuting them].
Paul's Account Of His Conversion And Commission
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
12 “(g)While so engaged (U)as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
12 “I was traveling to Damascus under(I) these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests.
12 "That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests.
12 “While so engaged, as I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission and full power of the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, (h)brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.
13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.
13 On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me.
13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven surpassing the brightness of the sun, shining all around me and those who were traveling with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
14 And when we had (V)all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the (i)(W)Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? (j)It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’(a)(J)
14 "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.'
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
15 “Then I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’“And the Lord replied: ‘I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting.
15 "I asked, "Who are you, Lord?'
15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
16 But get up and (X)stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to (Y)appoint you a (Z)minister and (AA)a witness not only to the things which you have (k)seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;
16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen(b) and of what I will reveal to you.(K)
16 "The Lord answered, "I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, because I've appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be my servant and witness of what you've seen and of what I'll show you.
16 Get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you [to serve] as a minister and as a witness [to testify, with authority,] not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
18 to (AD)open their eyes so that they may turn from (AE)darkness to light and from the dominion of (AF)Satan to God, that they may receive (AG)forgiveness of sins and an (AH)inheritance among those who have been sanctified by (AI)faith in Me.’
18 to open their eyes(M) so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.’(N)
18 You will help them understand and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God, so that their sins will be forgiven and they will receive a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Paul Tells Of His Work
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
19 "And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
19 “So, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
20 but kept declaring both (AJ)to those of Damascus first, and also (AK)at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even (AL)to the Gentiles, that they should (AM)repent and turn to God, performing deeds (AN)appropriate to repentance.
20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.(O)
20 Instead, I first told the people in Damascus and Jerusalem, then all the people in Judea and after that the gentiles to repent, turn to God, and perform deeds that are consistent with such repentance.
20 but I openly proclaimed first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent [change their inner self—their old way of thinking] and turn to God, doing deeds and living lives which are consistent with repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple complex and were trying to kill me.
21 For this reason the Jewish leaders grabbed me in the Temple and kept trying to kill me.
21 Because of this some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
22 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day (AQ)testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what (AR)the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;
22 To this very day, I have obtained help that comes from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place(P)—
22 I've had help from God to this day, and so I stand here to testify to both the powerful and the lowly alike, stating only what the prophets and Moses said would happen
22 But I have had help from God to this day, and I stand [before people] testifying to small and great alike, stating nothing except what the Prophets and Moses said would come to pass—
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
23 (l)(AS)that (m)the Christ was (n)to suffer, and (o)that (AT)by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim (AU)light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
23 that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”(Q)
23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead and would bring light both to our people and to the gentiles."
23 that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to suffer, and that He by being the first to rise from the dead [with an incorruptible body] would proclaim light (salvation) both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Not Quite Persuaded
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! (p)Your great (AV)learning is (q)driving you mad.”
24 As he was making his defense this way, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind,(R) Paul! Too much study is driving you mad!”
24 As he continued his defense, Festus shouted, "You're out of your mind, Paul! Too much education is driving you crazy!"
24 While Paul was making this defense, Festus said loudly, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great education is turning you toward madness.”
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
25 But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, (AW)most excellent Festus, but I utter words (r)of sober truth.
25 But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.(S)
25 But Paul said, "I'm not out of my mind, Your Excellency Festus. I'm reporting what is absolutely true.
25 But Paul replied, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent and noble Festus, but [with a sound mind] I am uttering rational words of truth and reason.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
26 For the king (s)(AX)knows 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 (t)corner.
26 For the king knows about these matters. It is to him I am actually speaking boldly. For I am convinced that none of these things escapes his notice, since this was not done in a corner.
26 Indeed, the king knows about these things, and I can speak to him freely. For I'm certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this wasn't done in a corner.
26 For [your majesty] the king understands these things, and [therefore] I am also speaking to him with confidence and boldness, since I am convinced that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner [hidden from view, in secret].
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe them!"
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the [writings of the] Prophets [their messages and words]? I know that you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “(v)In a short time you (w)will persuade me to (x)become a (AY)Christian.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?”
28 Agrippa asked Paul, "Can you so quickly persuade me to become a Christian?"
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
29 And Paul said, “(y)I would wish to God, that whether (z)in 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 (AZ)chains.”
29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”(T)
29 Paul replied, "Whether quickly or not, I wish to God that not only you but everyone listening to me today would become what I am except for these chains!"
29 And Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
30 So the king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up,
30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and those who were sitting with him got up.
30 Then the king stood up, and [with him] the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them;
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “(BB)This man is not doing anything worthy of death or (aa)imprisonment.”
31 and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is doing nothing that deserves death or chains.”(U)
31 As they were leaving, they began to say to each other, "This man hasn't been doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment."
31 and after they had gone out, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or [even] of imprisonment.”
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been (BC)set free if he had not (BD)appealed to Caesar.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(V)
32 Agrippa told Festus, "This man could have been set free if he hadn't appealed to the emperor."