Acts 26:17-32

171rescuing you 2from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18to 3open their eyes so that they may turn from 4darkness to light and from the dominion of 5Satan to God, that they may receive 6forgiveness of sins and an 7inheritance among those who have been sanctified by 8faith in Me.’

19“So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but kept declaring both 9to those of Damascus first, and also 10at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even 11to the Gentiles, that they should 12repent and turn to God, performing deeds 13appropriate to repentance. 21For this reason some Jews 14seized me in the temple and tried 15to put me to death. 22So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day 16testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what 17the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 231819that 20the Christ was 21to suffer, and 22that 23by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim 24light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

24While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! 25Your great 26learning is 27driving you mad.” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, 28most excellent Festus, but I utter words 29of sober truth. 26For the king 3031knows 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 32corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you 33do.” 28Agrippa replied to Paul, “34In a short time you 35will persuade me to 36become a 37Christian.” 29And Paul said, “38I would wish to God, that whether 39in 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 40chains.”

3041The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “42This man is not doing anything worthy of death or 43imprisonment.” 32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been 44set free if he had not 45appealed to Caesar.”