Acts 26:1-7 ▼

1 And Agrippa was saying to Paul, “It is permitted you to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, having stretched out the hand, began his defense:

2 “Concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I esteem myself fortunate before you, being about to defend myself today,

3 you being especially acquainted with all the customs and also controversies of the Jews. Therefore I implore you to hear me patiently.

4 Then indeed my manner of life, which is from youth, having been from its beginning among my nation and in Jerusalem, all the Jews know—

5 knowing me from the first, if they would be willing to testify—that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand, being judged for the hope of the promise having been made by God to our fathers,

7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, serving in earnestness night and day, the hope concerning which I am accused by the Jews, O king.