025:023 and took their seats in the Judgement Hall, attended by the Tribunes
and the men of high rank in the city; and, at the command
of Festus, Paul was brought in.
025:024 Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see here the man about whom the whole nation of the Jews made suit to me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.
025:025 I could not discover that he had done anything for which he deserved to die; but as he has himself appealed to the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
025:026 I have nothing very definite, however, to tell our Sovereign about him. So I have brought the man before you all— and especially before you, King Agrippa—that after he has been examined I may find something which I can put into writing.
025:027 For, when sending a prisoner to Rome, it seems to me to be absurd not to state the charges against him."
026:001 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak
about yourself." So Paul, with outstretched arm, proceeded to
make his defence.
026:002 "As regards all the accusations brought against me by the Jews,"
he said, "I think myself fortunate, King Agrippa, in being
about to defend myself to-day before you,
026:003 who are so familiar with all the customs and speculations
that prevail among the Jews; and for this reason, I pray you,
give me a patient hearing.
026:004 "The kind of life I have lived from my youth upwards,
as exemplified in my early days among my nation and in Jerusalem,
is known to all the Jews.
026:005 For they all know me of old—if they would but testify to the fact—
how, being an adherent of the strictest sect of our religion,
my life was that of a Pharisee.