g to Damascus with
authority, and a commission from the chief priests, [26:13]at midday I
saw in the way O king, a light from heaven shining around me and those
going with me, exceeding the brightness of the sun; [26:14]and when we
had all fallen on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying
in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? it is hard
for you to kick against the goads. [26:15]And I said, Who are you,
Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. [26:16]But rise
and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to
make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of
visions ] in which I will appear to you, [26:17]delivering you from the
people, and the gentiles, to whom I send you [26:18]to open their eyes,
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
the sanctified by faith in me. [26:19]Whence, King Agrippa, I was not
disobedient to the heavenly vision, [26:20]but preached first to those
at Damascus and Jerusalem, and in all the country of Judea, and to the
gentiles, that they should change their minds and turn to God,
performing works worthy of a change of mind.

9 [26:21]On this account the Jews seized me in the temple and
endeavored to kill me. [26:22]Having obtained therefore help from God,
I have continued to this day, testifying to small and great, saying
nothing but what the prophets and Moses said should take place;
[26:23]that the Christ should suffer, and that he first from the
resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and
the nations.

10 [26:24]And when Paul had said these words, Festus said with a loud
voice, You are mad, Paul; much learning has driven you to madness.
[26:25]But he said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter
words of truth and sobriety. [26:26]For the king knows of these things,
before whom I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these
things have escaped his notice; for this was not done in a corner.
[26:27]King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe.
[26:28]And Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to be a
Christian. [26:29]And Paul said, I would to God that not only you but
also all who hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I
am, except these bonds. [26:30]And the king arose, and the procurator,
and Bernice, and those who sat