1. Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now speak to defend yourself.” Paul raised his hand to get their attention and began to speak.
2. He said, “King Agrippa, I feel fortunate that I can stand here before you today and answer all the charges these Jews have made against me.
3. I am very happy to talk to you, because you know so much about all the Jewish customs and the things the Jews argue about. Please listen to me patiently.
4. “All the Jews know about my whole life. They know the way I lived from the beginning in my own country and later in Jerusalem.
5. These Jews have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of the Jewish religion more carefully than any other group.
6. Now I am on trial because I hope for the promise that God made to our fathers.
7. This is the promise that all the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive. For this hope the Jews serve God day and night. My king, the Jews have accused me because I hope for this same promise.
8. Why do you people think it is impossible for God to raise people from death?
9. “I used to think that I should do everything I could against Jesus from Nazareth.