And he said, Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,

Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the Word of this salvation is sent.

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!

And it came to pass after three days that Paul called those being chief of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.

Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully make my defense,

Defending himself he said, Neither against the Law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I trespassed in anything at all.

To them I answered, It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to make a defense concerning the charge 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 give a defense before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,

Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!

Now when they bring you to the synagogues and rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.

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

who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts meanwhile accusing or else excusing themselves)

My defense to those who examine me is this:

For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vengeance! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Again, do you think that we defend ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of the grace.

but the others out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

At my first defense no one stood with me, but all deserted me. May it not be reckoned against them.

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;