1Agrippa aber sprach zu Paulus: Es ist dir erlaubt, für dich selbst zu reden. Da streckte Paulus die Hand aus und verteidigte sich: (Apg 9,1; Apg 13,16; Apg 22,1)2Ich schätze mich glücklich[1], König Agrippa, dass ich mich über alles, dessen ich von den Juden angeklagt werde, heute vor dir verteidigen soll;3besonders weil du ein hervorragender Kenner bist von allen Gebräuchen und Streitfragen, die unter den Juden sind. Darum bitte ich dich, mich langmütig anzuhören.4Meinen Lebenswandel nun von Jugend auf, der von Anfang an unter meiner Nation in Jerusalem gewesen ist, wissen alle Juden. (Apg 22,3)5Sie kennen mich von der ersten Zeit her – wenn sie es bezeugen wollen –, dass ich nach der strengsten Sekte unserer Religion, als Pharisäer, lebte. (Apg 23,6)6Und nun stehe ich vor Gericht wegen der Hoffnung auf die von Gott an unsere Väter geschehene Verheißung, (Apg 23,6)7zu der unser zwölfstämmiges ⟨Volk⟩, unablässig Nacht und Tag ⟨Gott⟩ dienend, hinzugelangen hofft. Wegen dieser Hoffnung, König, werde ich von den Juden angeklagt. (Apg 24,15; Eph 1,12)8Warum wird es bei euch für etwas Unglaubliches gehalten, wenn Gott Tote auferweckt? (Lk 24,11; Apg 23,8)9Ich meinte freilich bei mir selbst, gegen den Namen Jesu, des Nazoräers[2], viel Feindseliges tun zu müssen,10was ich auch in Jerusalem getan habe; und auch viele der Heiligen habe ich in Gefängnisse eingeschlossen, nachdem ich von den Hohen Priestern[3] die Vollmacht empfangen hatte; und wenn sie umgebracht wurden, so gab ich meine Stimme dazu.11Und in allen Synagogen[4] zwang ich sie oftmals durch Strafen, zu lästern; und indem ich über die Maßen gegen sie wütete, verfolgte ich sie sogar bis in die ausländischen Städte. (Apg 8,3)12Und als ich dabei mit Vollmacht und Erlaubnis von den Hohen Priestern nach Damaskus reiste,13sah ich mitten am Tag auf dem Weg, König, vom Himmel her ein Licht, das den Glanz der Sonne übertraf, welches mich und die, die mit mir reisten, umstrahlte.14Als wir aber alle zur Erde niedergefallen waren, hörte ich eine Stimme in hebräischer Mundart zu mir sagen: Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich? Es ist hart für dich, gegen den Stachel auszuschlagen!15Ich aber sprach: Wer bist du, Herr? Der Herr aber sprach: Ich bin Jesus, den du verfolgst.16Aber richte dich auf und stelle dich auf deine Füße! Denn hierzu bin ich dir erschienen, dich zu einem Diener und Zeugen dessen zu verordnen, was du gesehen hast, wie auch dessen, worin ich dir erscheinen werde. (Apg 22,14; Eph 3,7)17[5] Ich werde dich herausnehmen[6] aus dem Volk und den Nationen, zu denen ich dich sende, (Jer 1,7; Röm 1,5)18ihre Augen zu öffnen, dass sie sich bekehren von der Finsternis zum Licht und von der Macht des Satans zu Gott, damit sie Vergebung der Sünden empfangen und ein Erbe unter denen, die durch den Glauben an mich geheiligt sind. (Ps 146,8; Jes 49,6; Apg 5,31; Apg 20,32; Kol 1,13; 1Thess 5,5; 1Petr 2,9)19Daher, König Agrippa, war ich nicht ungehorsam der himmlischen Erscheinung,20sondern verkündigte denen in Damaskus zuerst und in Jerusalem und in der ganzen Landschaft von Judäa und den Nationen, Buße zu tun und sich zu Gott zu bekehren, indem sie der Buße würdige Werke vollbrächten. (Mt 3,8; Apg 2,38; Apg 17,30)21Deshalb haben mich die Juden im Tempel ergriffen und versucht, mich zu ermorden. (Apg 21,30)22Da ich nun Beistand von Gott erlangte, stehe ich bis zu diesem Tag[7] und bezeuge Klein und Groß – indem ich nichts sage außer dem, was auch die Propheten und Mose geredet haben, dass es geschehen werde –, (Lk 24,27; Apg 24,14; Röm 3,21)23dass der Christus leiden sollte, dass er als Erster durch[8] Totenauferstehung Licht verkündigen sollte, sowohl dem Volk als auch den Nationen. (Apg 3,18; Apg 13,47; Kol 1,18)24Während er aber dies zur Verteidigung sagte, spricht Festus mit lauter Stimme: Du bist von Sinnen, Paulus! Die große Gelehrsamkeit bringt dich zum Wahnsinn.25Paulus aber spricht: Ich bin nicht von Sinnen, hochedler Festus, sondern ich rede Worte der Wahrheit und der Besonnenheit.26Denn der König weiß um diese Dinge, zu dem ich auch mit Freimütigkeit rede; denn ich bin überzeugt, dass ihm nichts hiervon verborgen ist, denn nicht in einem Winkel ist dies geschehen. (Joh 18,20)27Glaubst du, König Agrippa, den Propheten? Ich weiß, dass du glaubst.28Agrippa aber sprach zu Paulus: In Kurzem überredest du mich, ein Christ zu werden. (Apg 11,26)29Paulus aber sprach: Ich möchte zu Gott beten, dass über kurz oder lang nicht allein du, sondern auch alle, die mich heute hören, solche werden, wie auch ich bin, ausgenommen diese Fesseln. (2Tim 2,9)30Und der König stand auf und der Statthalter und Berenike und die mit ihnen dasaßen.31Und als sie sich zurückgezogen hatten, redeten sie miteinander und sagten: Dieser Mensch tut nichts, was des Todes oder der Fesseln wert wäre. (Apg 23,9)32Agrippa aber sprach zu Festus: Dieser Mensch hätte losgelassen werden können, wenn er sich nicht auf den Kaiser berufen hätte. (Apg 25,11)
1So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: (Apg 9,15)2“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, (Apg 25,7; Apg 25,19; Apg 26,7)3especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. (Apg 6,14; Apg 18,15)4“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. (Apg 24,17; Apg 28,19; Gal 1,13)5They 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. (Apg 22,3; Apg 23,6; Apg 24,5; Jak 1,26; Jak 1,27)6And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, (Apg 13,32)7to 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! (Esr 6,17; Mt 19,28; Lk 22,30; Apg 2,33; Apg 26,2; Phil 3,11; Hebr 10,36; Hebr 11,13; Hebr 11,39; Jak 1,1; Offb 21,12)8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? (Apg 17,3; 1Kor 15,12)9“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Joh 3,17; Joh 16,2; Apg 22,8; 1Tim 1,13)10And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. (Apg 8,3; Apg 9,1; Apg 9,2; Apg 9,14; Apg 9,21; Apg 22,4; Apg 22,5; Apg 22,20; Apg 26,12)11And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. (Apg 9,1; Apg 13,45; Apg 22,5; Apg 22,19)
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. (Apg 9,3; Apg 22,6)13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,[1] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ (Apg 21,40; Apg 22,2)15And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, (Hes 2,1; Dan 10,11; Apg 22,14; Apg 22,15)17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you (1Chr 16,35; Jer 1,8; Jer 1,19; Jer 15,20; Apg 9,15; Apg 12,11; Röm 11,13; 1Tim 2,7)18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Jes 35,5; Jes 42,7; Lk 22,53; Apg 5,31; Apg 15,9; Apg 20,32; 1Kor 5,5; 2Thess 2,13)19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, (Apg 26,13)20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (Mt 3,8; Lk 3,8; Apg 2,38; Apg 9,19; Apg 9,20; Apg 9,26; Apg 13,46; Apg 14,15; Apg 22,17)21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. (Apg 21,27; Apg 21,30; Apg 21,31; Apg 24,18)22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: (Apg 10,43; Apg 24,14; 2Kor 1,10; Eph 6,13; Hebr 13,5; Hebr 13,6)23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Lk 2,32; Lk 24,26; Joh 12,34; Apg 26,18; Röm 1,4; 1Kor 15,20; 1Kor 15,23; Eph 2,17; Kol 1,18; Hebr 2,10; Hebr 3,18; Offb 1,5)24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” (2Kön 9,11; Jer 29,26; Mk 3,21; Joh 10,20; Apg 8,1; Apg 12,15; Apg 17,32; 1Kor 1,23; 1Kor 2,14; 1Kor 4,10)25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. (Apg 24,2; 2Kor 5,13; 2Petr 1,16)26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. (Apg 26,3)27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”[2] (Apg 11,26; 1Petr 4,16)29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” (Apg 21,33; 1Kor 7,7)30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. (Apg 23,24)31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” (Apg 23,29)32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Apg 9,15; Apg 25,11; Apg 28,18; Apg 28,19)
Apostelgeschichte 26
King James Version
1Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:2I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:3Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.4My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.6And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.21For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.22Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.26For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.29And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.30And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:31And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.32Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
Apostelgeschichte 26
Nuova Riveduta 2006
von Società Biblica di Ginevra
Difesa di Paolo davanti al re Agrippa
1Agrippa disse a Paolo: «Ti è concesso di parlare a tua difesa». Allora Paolo, stesa la mano, disse a sua difesa:2«Re Agrippa, io mi ritengo felice di potermi oggi discolpare davanti a te di tutte le cose delle quali sono accusato dai Giudei,3soprattutto perché tu hai conoscenza di tutti i riti e di tutte le questioni che ci sono tra i Giudei; perciò ti prego di ascoltarmi pazientemente.4Quale sia stata la mia vita fin dalla mia gioventù, che ho trascorsa a Gerusalemme in mezzo al mio popolo, è noto a tutti i Giudei,5perché mi hanno conosciuto fin da allora e sanno, se pure vogliono renderne testimonianza, che, secondo la più rigida setta della nostra religione, sono vissuto da fariseo.6E ora sono chiamato in giudizio per la speranza nella promessa fatta da Dio ai nostri padri;7della quale promessa le nostre dodici tribù, che servono con fervore Dio notte e giorno, sperano di vedere il compimento. Per questa speranza, o re, sono accusato dai Giudei!8Perché mai si giudica da voi cosa incredibile che Dio risusciti i morti?9Quanto a me, in verità pensai di dover lavorare attivamente contro il nome di Gesù il Nazareno.10Questo infatti feci a Gerusalemme; e avendone ricevuta l’autorizzazione dai capi dei sacerdoti, io rinchiusi nelle prigioni molti dei santi; e quando erano messi a morte, io davo il mio voto.11E spesso, in tutte le sinagoghe, punendoli, li costringevo a bestemmiare; e, infuriato oltremodo contro di loro, li perseguitavo fin nelle città straniere.12Mentre mi dedicavo a queste cose e andavo a Damasco con l’autorità e l’incarico da parte dei capi dei sacerdoti,13a mezzogiorno vidi per strada, o re, una luce dal cielo, più splendente del sole, la quale sfolgorò intorno a me e ai miei compagni di viaggio.14Tutti noi cademmo a terra, e io udii una voce che mi disse in lingua ebraica: “Saulo, Saulo, perché mi perseguiti? Ti è duro recalcitrare contro il pungolo”.15Io dissi: “Chi sei, Signore?” E il Signore rispose: “Io sono Gesù, che tu perseguiti.16Ma àlzati e sta’ in piedi, perché per questo ti sono apparso: per farti ministro e testimone delle cose che hai viste, e di quelle per le quali ti apparirò ancora,17liberandoti da questo popolo e dalle nazioni, alle quali io ti mando18per aprire loro gli occhi, affinché si convertano dalle tenebre alla luce e dal potere di Satana a Dio e ricevano, per la fede in me, il perdono dei peccati e la loro parte di eredità tra i santificati”.19Perciò, o re Agrippa, io non sono stato disubbidiente alla visione celeste;20ma, prima a quelli di Damasco, poi a Gerusalemme e per tutto il paese della Giudea e fra le nazioni, ho predicato che si ravvedano e si convertano a Dio, facendo opere degne del ravvedimento.21Per questo i Giudei, dopo avermi preso nel tempio, tentavano di uccidermi.22Ma per l’aiuto che viene da Dio sono durato fino a questo giorno, rendendo testimonianza a piccoli e a grandi, senza dire nulla al di fuori di quello che i profeti e Mosè hanno detto che doveva avvenire, cioè:23che il Cristo avrebbe sofferto e che egli, il primo a risuscitare dai morti, avrebbe annunciato la luce al popolo e alle nazioni».24Mentre egli diceva queste cose in sua difesa, Festo disse ad alta voce: «Paolo, tu vaneggi; la molta dottrina ti mette fuori di senno».25Ma Paolo disse: «Non vaneggio, eccellentissimo Festo; ma pronuncio parole di verità e di buon senno.26Il re, al quale parlo con franchezza, conosce queste cose; perché sono persuaso che nessuna di esse gli è nascosta; poiché esse non sono accadute in segreto.27O re Agrippa, credi tu nei profeti? Io so che ci credi».28Agrippa disse a Paolo: «Con così poco vorresti persuadermi a diventare cristiano?»29E Paolo: «Piacesse a Dio che, con poco o con molto, non solamente tu, ma anche tutti quelli che oggi mi ascoltano, diventaste tali, quale sono io, all’infuori di queste catene».30Allora il re si alzò, e con lui il governatore, Berenice, e quanti sedevano con loro;31e, ritiratisi in disparte, parlavano gli uni agli altri, dicendo: «Quest’uomo non fa nulla che meriti la morte o la prigione».32Agrippa disse a Festo: «Quest’uomo poteva essere liberato, se non si fosse appellato a Cesare».