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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 26

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1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

*Then Agrippa allowed Paul to speak, so Paul raised his hand and defended himself.

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

*I'm glad, King Agrippa, as I can defend myself today about everything the Jews accuse me of.

3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

*Especially since I know you're skilled in Jewish customs and questions, I ask you to listen to me calmly.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

*Since my childhood, when I was young, my way of living was well-known among the Jews in Jerusalem.

5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

*Who knew me from the start, if they can prove it, said I was a Pharisee and followed our strictest beliefs.

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

*Now, I'm being judged based on the hope of the promise that God made to our ancestors.

7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

*To the promise, our twelve tribes eagerly serve God day and night, hoping to reach it. For this hope, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

*Why would it seem unbelievable to you that God can bring people back to life?

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

*I truly believed that I should do many things going against the name of Jesus from Nazareth.

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

*In Jerusalem, I did the same thing: I locked up many holy people in prison, following orders from the main priests. When they were killed, I agreed with it.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

*I often disciplined them in every synagogue, forcing them to say bad things about God. Because I was very angry with them, I also hunted them down in other cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

*So when I was going to Damascus with permission from the top priests,

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 which journeyed with me.

*"At noon, King, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, surrounding me and my travel companions, as we walked on the path."

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

*When everyone fell to the ground, I heard a voice talking to me in Hebrew. It said, "Saul, Saul, why do you keep bothering me? It's difficult for you to fight against what guides you."

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

*I asked, "Who are you, Lord?" He replied, "I am Jesus, the one you're hurting."

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

*But get up and stand on your feet because I have come to you for a reason. I want to make you someone who helps and tells others about the things you've seen and the things I will show you later.

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

*Saving you from the other people and nations I'm sending you to,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

*To help people see the light and leave darkness behind, freeing them from Satan's control and bringing them to God. This way, they can be forgiven for their mistakes and become part of a special group of people who believe in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

*So, King Agrippa, I obeyed the vision from heaven and didn't disobey it.

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

*He first showed his message to people in Damascus, Jerusalem, and all areas of Judea. Then he showed it to non-Jews, telling them to change their ways, turn to God, and do good deeds as a sign of their repentance.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

*Because of this, the Jews seized me at the temple and tried to murder me.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

*Since I received God's help, I keep on testifying to everyone, big or small, saying only what the prophets and Moses said would happen.

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

*So that Christ would endure suffering and be the first to rise from the dead, showing light to people and Gentiles.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

*As he talked about himself, Festus shouted, "Paul, you're crazy! Your extensive knowledge is driving you insane."

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

*But he replied, "I'm not crazy, respected Festus; instead, share the honest and serious words."

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

*The king already knows about these matters, and I can talk openly with him because I believe he is aware of everything; this action wasn't secretly done in a hidden corner.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

*King Agrippa, do you trust the prophets? I am sure you do believe.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

*Then Agrippa told Paul, You almost convinced me to become a Christian.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

*Paul said, "I wish that not just you, but everyone listening today, could be like me, except for these chains."

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

*Then after he finished talking, the king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them all stood up.

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

*After they left, they discussed among themselves, saying, "This man doesn't do anything deserving death or imprisonment."

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

*Then Agrippa told Festus, If this man hadn't asked for Caesar, he could have been freed.

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