Study Desk

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. [fn] Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

while he answered for himself, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all."

For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."

about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.

To them I answered, 'It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction [fn] before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.'

But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar."

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

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

"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,

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

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.

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.'

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.

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

For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.

And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."

Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.