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Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
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"I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,
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because you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
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"My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.
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They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
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And now I stand here on trial for hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,
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to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
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Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
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"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
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And I did so in Jerusalem; I not only shut up many of the saints in prison, by authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.