Chapter 25, verse 15 - Chapter 26, verse 5
15
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
16
To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
17
When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed
19
but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20
Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21
But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.”
22
Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24
Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
26
Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.
27
For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”
Chapter 26
1
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.
2
“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews,
3
especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4
“Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem
5
having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
