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 5power of 6Satan to God, that they may receive 7forgiveness of sins and an 8inheritance among those who have been sanctified by 9faith in Me.’

19“For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but continually proclaimed 10to those in Damascus first, and 11in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even 12to the Gentiles, that they are to 13repent and turn to God, performing deeds 14consistent with repentance. 21For these reasons some Jews 15seized me in the temple and tried 16to murder me. 22So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day 17testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what 18the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23as to 19whether the 20Christ was 21to suffer, and whether, as 22first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim 23light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

24While 24Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! 25Your great 26learning is 27driving you insane.” 25But Paul said, “I am not insane, 28most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with 29truthful and rational words. 26For the king 3031knows about these matters, and I also speak to him 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 believe.” 28Agrippa replied to Paul, “33In a short time you are going to persuade me to 34make a 35Christian of myself.” 29And Paul said, “I would 36wish to God that even 37in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these 38chains.”

3039The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “40This man is not doing anything deserving death or 41imprisonment.” 32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been 42set free if he had not 43appealed to Caesar.”