Acts 26:1-7

1 Agrippa spoke directly to Paul: "Go ahead - tell us about yourself."

2 "I can't think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I'd rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you,

3 knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all our family quarrels.

4 "From the time of my youth, my life has been lived among my own people in Jerusalem.

5 Practically every Jew in town who watched me grow up - and if they were willing to stick their necks out they'd tell you in person - knows that I lived as a strict Pharisee, the most demanding branch of our religion.

6 It's because I believed it and took it seriously,

7 committed myself heart and soul to what God promised my ancestors - the identical hope, mind you, that the twelve tribes have lived for night and day all these centuries - it's because I have held on to this tested and tried hope that I'm being called on the carpet by the Jews. They should be the ones standing trial here, not me!