Acts 26:1-11

CAB(i) 1 then Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted for you to speak for yourself." So Paul, having extended his hand, spoke in his own defense: 2 I have considered myself fortunate, King Agrippa, being able to speak in my own defense today, concerning all the things of which I am accused of by the Jews, 3 especially since you are well versed both in all the customs and questions in relation to the Jews; therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 Therefore my way of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews know, 5 since they have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now for the hope of the promise having been made by God to the fathers, I stand before you judged, 7 a promise to which our twelve tribes, as they earnestly serve God night and day, hope to attain. Concerning which hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa. 8 Why is it considered such an unbelievable thing by you people if God raises the dead? 9 Therefore I thought in myself that it was necessary to do many hostile things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene; 10 which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were being put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even as far as to foreign cities.