3
especially
because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews; therefore, I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4
My manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was among my own nation at Jerusalem, is known of all the Jews,
5
who knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most perfect sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
7
unto which
promise our twelve tribes, constantly serving
God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead?
9
I verily had thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10
Which things I also did in Jerusalem, and I shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the princes of the priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against
them.
11
And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled
them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto foreign cities.
12
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the princes of the priests,
13
at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and those who journeyed with me.