1. Yet truly, Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted for you to speak for yourself." Then Paul, extending his hand, began to offer his defense.
2. "I consider myself blessed, O king Agrippa, that I am to give my defense today before you, about everything of which I am accused by the Jews,
3. especially since you know everything that pertains to the Jews, both customs and questions. Because of this, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4. And certainly, all the Jews know about my life from my youth, which had its beginning among my own people in Jerusalem.
5. They knew me well from the beginning, (if they would be willing to offer testimony) for I lived according to the most determined sect of our religion: as a Pharisee.
6. And now, it is in the hope of the Promise which was made by God to our fathers that I stand subject to judgment.
7. It is the Promise that our twelve tribes, worshiping night and day, hope to see. About this hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.
8. Why should it be judged so unbelievable with you all that God might raise the dead?
9. And certainly, I myself formerly considered that I ought to act in many ways which are contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.
10. This is also how I acted at Jerusalem. And so, I enclosed many holy persons in prison, having received authority from the leaders of the priests. And when they were to be killed, I brought the sentence.
11. And in every synagogue, frequently while punishing them, I compelled them to blaspheme. And being all the more maddened against them, I persecuted them, even to foreign cities.
12. Thereafter, as I was going to Damascus, with authority and permission from the high priest,