But Paul said, I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I ask you, allow me to speak to the people.

So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,

Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.

And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:

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 give a defense before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers on account of My name.

Therefore settle it in your hearts not to premeditate a defense;

But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their terror, nor be troubled.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or bonds.

For if I have done wrong, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not refuse to die; 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.

When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,

And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.

Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.

He answered him and said, O unbelieving generation. How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

Oh, that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, and indeed bear with me.

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted; you may well put up with it.

He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also encompassed by weakness.