Acts.25.23

The next day everybody who was anybody in Caesarea found his way to the Great Hall, along with the top military brass. Agrippa and Bernice made a flourishing grand entrance and took their places. Festus then ordered Paul brought in.

Acts.25.23

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Acts.25.23

So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus' command Paul was brought in.

Acts.25.23

So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.

Acts.25.24

Festus said, "King Agrippa and distinguished guests, take a good look at this man. A bunch of Jews petitioned me first in Jerusalem, and later here, to do away with him. They have been most vehement in demanding his execution.

Acts.25.24

Festus said: "King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

Acts.25.24

And Festus said: "King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer.

Acts.25.24

Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all present, this is the man whose death is demanded both by the local Jews and by those in Jerusalem.

Acts.25.25

I looked into it and decided that he had committed no crime. He requested a trial before Caesar and I agreed to send him to Rome.

Acts.25.25

I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.

Acts.25.25

But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.

Acts.25.25

But in my opinion he has done nothing worthy of death. However, he appealed his case to the emperor, and I decided to send him.

Acts.25.26

But what am I going to write to my master, Caesar? All the charges made by the Jews were fabrications, and I've uncovered nothing else. "That's why I've brought him before this company, and especially you, King Agrippa: so we can come up with something in the nature of a charge that will hold water.

Acts.25.26

But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write.

Acts.25.26

I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.

Acts.25.26

But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no real charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write.

Acts.25.27

For it seems to me silly to send a prisoner all that way for a trial and not be able to document what he did wrong."

Acts.25.27

For I think it is unreasonable to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him."

Acts.25.27

For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him."

Acts.25.27

For it doesn't seem reasonable to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!"

Acts.26.1

Agrippa spoke directly to Paul: "Go ahead--tell us about yourself." Paul took the stand and told his story.

Acts.26.1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:

Acts.26.1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:

Acts.26.1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak in your defense." So Paul, with a gesture of his hand, started his defense:

Acts.26.2

"I can't think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I'd rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you,

Acts.26.2

"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,

Acts.26.2

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,

Acts.26.2

"I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders,

Acts.26.3

knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all our family quarrels.

Acts.26.3

and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Acts.26.3

especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

Acts.26.3

for I know you are an expert on Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!

Acts.26.4

"From the time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem.

Acts.26.4

"The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.

Acts.26.4

"My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.

Acts.26.4

"As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem.

Acts.26.5

Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up--and if they were willing to stick their necks out they'd tell you in person--knows that I lived as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion.

Acts.26.5

They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.

Acts.26.5

They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Acts.26.5

If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion.

Acts.26.6

It's because I believed it and took it seriously,

Acts.26.6

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.

Acts.26.6

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.

Acts.26.6

Now I am on trial because I am looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promise made to our ancestors.

Acts.26.7

committed myself heart and soul to what God promised my ancestors--the identical hope, mind you, that the twelve tribes have lived for night and day all these centuries--it's because I have held on to this tested and tried hope that I'm being called on the carpet by the Jews. They should be the ones standing trial here, not me!

Acts.26.7

This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me.

Acts.26.7

To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

Acts.26.7

In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, O king, they say it is wrong for me to have this hope!

Acts.26.8

For the life of me, I can't see why it's a criminal offense to believe that God raises the dead.

Acts.26.8

Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

Acts.26.8

Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?

Acts.26.8

Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?

Acts.26.9

"I admit that I didn't always hold to this position. For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might.

Acts.26.9

"I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts.26.9

"Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts.26.9

"I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the followers of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts.26.10

Backed with the full authority of the high priests, I threw these believers--I had no idea they were God's people!-into the Jerusalem jail right and left, and whenever it came to a vote, I voted for their execution.

Acts.26.10

And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

Acts.26.10

This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

Acts.26.10

Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many of the believers in Jerusalem to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death.

Acts.26.11

I stormed through their meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one-man terror obsessed with obliterating these people. And then I started on the towns outside Jerusalem.

Acts.26.11

Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Acts.26.11

And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts.26.11

Many times I had them whipped in the synagogues to try to get them to curse Christ. I was so violently opposed to them that I even hounded them in distant cities of foreign lands.

Acts.26.12

"One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action,

Acts.26.12

"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

Acts.26.12

"While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

Acts.26.12

"One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests.

Acts.26.13

right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King, it was so bright!

Acts.26.13

About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.

Acts.26.13

at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.

Acts.26.13

About noon, Your Majesty, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions.

Acts.26.14

We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: "Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?'

Acts.26.14

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

Acts.26.14

And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

Acts.26.14

We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to fight against my will. '

Acts.26.15

"I said, "Who are you, Master?'"The voice answered, "I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down like an animal.

Acts.26.15

"Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'

Acts.26.15

So I said, "Who are You, Lord?' And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Acts.26.15

"'Who are you, sir?' I asked. "And the Lord replied, 'I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.

Acts.26.16

But now, up on your feet--I have a job for you. I've handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what's happened today, and to what I am going to show you.

Acts.26.16

"'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

Acts.26.16

But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Acts.26.16

Now stand up! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and my witness. You are to tell the world about this experience and about other times I will appear to you.

Acts.26.17

I'm sending you off

Acts.26.17

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them

Acts.26.17

I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

Acts.26.17

And I will protect you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am going to send you to the Gentiles,

Acts.26.18

to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.'

Acts.26.18

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Acts.26.18

to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

Acts.26.18

to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.'

Acts.26.19

"What could I do, King Agrippa? I couldn't just walk away from a vision like that! I became an obedient believer on the spot.

Acts.26.19

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

Acts.26.19

"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

Acts.26.19

"And so, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to that vision from heaven.

Acts.26.20

I started preaching this life-change--this radical turn to God and everything it meant in everyday life--right there in Damascus, went on to Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside, and from there to the whole world.

Acts.26.20

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

Acts.26.20

but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Acts.26.20

I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must turn from their sins and turn to God--and prove they have changed by the good things they do.

Acts.26.21

"It's because of this "whole world' dimension that the Jews grabbed me in the Temple that day and tried to kill me. They want to keep God for themselves.

Acts.26.21

That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

Acts.26.21

For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

Acts.26.21

Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me.

Acts.26.22

But God has stood by me, just as he promised, and I'm standing here saying what I've been saying to anyone, whether king or child, who will listen. And everything I'm saying is completely in line with what the prophets and Moses said would happen:

Acts.26.22

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen--

Acts.26.22

Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come--

Acts.26.22

But God protected me so that I am still alive today to tell these facts to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen--

Acts.26.23

One, the Messiah must die; two, raised from the dead, he would be the first rays of God's daylight shining on people far and near, people both godless and God-fearing."

Acts.26.23

that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."

Acts.26.23

that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

Acts.26.23

that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead as a light to Jews and Gentiles alike."