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Paul gives an account to Agrippa of his life, conversion, and calling.
THEN Agrippa said to Paul: you are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretching forth his hand, began to make his answer.
2 I think myself happy, O king Agrippa, that I am to answer for myself this day before you, touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews.
3 Especially as you know all, both customs and questions that are among the Jews: Wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently.
4 And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:
5 Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:
7 Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible, that God should raise the dead?
9 And I indeed did formerly think, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which also I did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests: and when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.
11 And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
12 Whereupon when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,
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 that were in company with me.
14 And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.
15 And I said: Who are you, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom you persecute.
16 But rise up, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared to you, that I may make you a minister, and a witness of those things which you have seen, and of those things wherein I will appear to you,
17 Delivering you from the people, and from the nations, unto which now I send you:
18 To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision:
20 But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.
21 For this cause the Jews, when I was in the temple, having apprehended me, went about to kill me.
22 But being aided by the help of God, I stand unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing than those which the prophets, and Moses did say should 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 to the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 As he spoke these things, and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, you are beside yourself: much learning does make you mad.
25 And Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak with confidence. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. For neither was any of these things done in a corner.
27 Believe you the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that you believe.
28 And Agrippa said to Paul: In a little you persuade me to become a Christian.
29 And Paul said: I would to God, that both in a little and in much, not only you, but also all that hear me, this day, should become such as I also am, except these bands.
30 And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them.
31 And when they were gone aside, they spoke among themselves, saying: This man has done nothing worthy of death or of bands.
32 And Agrippa said to Festus: This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.