# Acts 26

> Lumin Translation

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/26

Translated from Hebrew and Greek with AI, then checked for clarity and fidelity.

1. Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak on your own behalf.” Then Paul extended his hand and defended himself.
2. King Agrippa, I regard myself as blessed before you today to defend myself concerning everything for which the Jews accuse me.
3. especially since you are well-versed in all customs and disputes among Jews; therefore I entreat you to hear me patiently.
4. Indeed, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which began at the outset among my own nation and in Jerusalem.
5. They have known me from the beginning, if they wish to testify that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6. And now I stand on trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
7. which our twelve tribes, serving with fervor night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
8. Why is it considered incredible among you if God raises the dead?
9. So I myself indeed thought it necessary to do many things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene.
10. I also did this in Jerusalem, shutting many of the saints up in prisons after receiving authority from the chief priests, and casting my vote against them when they were being put to death.
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 foreign cities.
12. As I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13. At midday, O king, on the road I saw from heaven a light surpassing the sun's brilliance shining around me and those journeying with me.
14. When we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
15. I said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you persecute.”
16. But arise and stand on your feet, for I appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things in which you saw me and of the things in which I will appear to you.
17. rescuing you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you.
18. to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's authority to God, that they receive release from sins and an inheritance among those made holy by faith in me.
19. Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
20. But first I declared to those in Damascus, and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
21. For these things the Jews took hold of me in the temple and sought to kill me.
22. So, having received help from God, I have stood until this day, testifying both to the lowly and the great, saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses declared would come to pass.
23. that Christ would suffer, and, first from the resurrection of the dead, would proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.
24. As he was defending himself, Festus shouted loudly, "Paul, you're mad! Your vast learning drives you to madness."
25. But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and sanity.”
26. For the king knows these things well, before whom I also speak boldly. For I am persuaded none of these escapes his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
27. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.
28. Then Agrippa said to Paul, "With so little do you persuade me to become a Christian?"
29. And Paul said, "I pray to God that whether slightly or greatly, not only you but also all who hear me today might become such as I am, except these bonds."
30. The king stood up with the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them.
31. And when they had stepped aside, they conferred with one another, saying, "This man commits nothing deserving death or chains."
32. Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar."

## Nearby chapters

[Acts 25](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/25.md)
[Acts 27](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/27.md)

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