1So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: (Ac 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, (Ac 25:7; Ac 25:19; Ac 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. (Ac 6:14; Ac 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. (Ac 24:17; Ac 28:19; Ga 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. (Ac 22:3; Ac 23:6; Ac 24:5; Jas 1:26)6And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, (Ac 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! (Ezr 6:17; Mt 19:28; Lu 22:30; Ac 2:33; Ac 26:2; Php 3:11; Heb 10:36; Heb 11:13; Heb 11:39; Jas 1:1; Re 21:12)8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? (Ac 17:3; 1Co 15:12)9“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Joh 16:2; Ac 3:17; Ac 22:8; 1Ti 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. (Ac 8:3; Ac 9:1; Ac 9:14; Ac 9:21; Ac 22:4; Ac 22:20; Ac 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. (Ac 9:1; Ac 13:45; Ac 22:5; Ac 22:19)
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. (Ac 9:3; Ac 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.’ (Ac 21:40; Ac 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, (Eze 2:1; Da 10:11; Ac 22:14)17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you (1Ch 16:35; Jer 1:8; Jer 1:19; Jer 15:20; Ac 9:15; Ac 12:11; Ro 11:13; 1Ti 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.’ (Isa 35:5; Isa 42:7; Lu 22:53; Ac 5:31; Ac 15:9; Ac 20:32; 1Co 5:5; 2Th 2:13)19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, (Ac 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; Lu 3:8; Ac 2:38; Ac 9:19; Ac 9:26; Ac 13:46; Ac 14:15; Ac 22:17)21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. (Ac 21:27; Ac 21:30; Ac 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: (Ac 10:43; Ac 24:14; 2Co 1:10; Eph 6:13; Heb 13:5)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.” (Lu 2:32; Lu 24:26; Joh 12:34; Ac 3:18; Ac 26:18; Ro 1:4; 1Co 15:20; 1Co 15:23; Eph 2:17; Col 1:18; Heb 2:10; Re 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.” (2Ki 9:11; Jer 29:26; Mr 3:21; Joh 10:20; Ac 12:15; Ac 17:32; Ac 26:8; 1Co 1:23; 1Co 2:14; 1Co 4:10)25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. (Ac 24:2; 2Co 5:13; 2Pe 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. (Ac 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] (Ac 11:26; 1Pe 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.” (Ac 21:33; 1Co 7:7)30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. (Ac 23:24)31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” (Ac 23:29)32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Ac 9:15; Ac 25:11; Ac 28:18; Ac 28:19)
Acts 26
New International Version
from Biblica1Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defence:2‘King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defence against all the accusations of the Jews,3and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.4‘The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.6And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.7This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.8Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?9‘I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.10And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.11Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.12‘On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.13About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[1] “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”15‘Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?” ‘ “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the Lord replied.16“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”19‘So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.20First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.21That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.22But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen –23that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.’24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defence. ‘You are out of your mind, Paul!’ he shouted. ‘Your great learning is driving you insane.’25‘I am not insane, most excellent Festus,’ Paul replied. ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable.26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.’28Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’29Paul replied, ‘Short time or long – I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’30The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them.31After they left the room, they began saying to one another, ‘This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.’32Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’
Acts 26
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You may now present your case.’ So Paul motioned with his hand. Then he began to present his case.2‘King Agrippa’, he said, ‘I am happy to be able to stand here today. I will answer all the charges brought against me by the Jews.3I am very pleased that you are familiar with Jewish ways. You know the kinds of things they argue about. So I beg you to be patient as you listen to me.4‘The Jewish people all know how I have lived ever since I was a child. They know all about me from the beginning of my life. They know how I lived in my own country and in Jerusalem.5They have known me for a long time. So if they wanted to, they could tell you how I have lived. I have lived by the rules of the Pharisees. Those rules are harder to obey than those of any other Jewish group.6Today I am on trial because of the hope I have. I believe in what God promised our people of long ago.7It is the promise that our 12 tribes are hoping to see come true. Because of this hope they serve God with faithful and honest hearts day and night. King Agrippa, it is also because of this hope that these Jews are bringing charges against me.8Why should any of you think it is impossible for God to raise the dead?9‘I believed that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. So I did everything I could to oppose his name.10That’s just what I was doing in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests, I put many of the Lord’s people in prison. I agreed that they should die.11I often went from one synagogue to another to have them punished. I tried to force them to speak evil things against Jesus. All I wanted to do was hurt them. I even went looking for them in the cities of other lands.12‘On one of these journeys I was on my way to Damascus. I had the authority and commission of the chief priests.13About noon, King Agrippa, I was on the road. I saw a light coming from heaven. It was brighter than the sun. It was shining around me and my companions.14We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speak to me in the Aramaic language. “Saul! Saul!” it said. “Why are you opposing me? It is hard for you to go against what you know is right.”15‘Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?” ‘ “I am Jesus,” the Lord replied. “I am the one you are opposing.16Now get up. Stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve me. And you must tell other people about me. You must tell others that you have seen me today. You must also tell them that I will show myself to you again.17I will save you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them18to open their eyes. I want you to turn them from darkness to light. I want you to turn them from Satan’s power to God. I want their sins to be forgiven. They will be forgiven when they believe in me. They will have their place among God’s people.”19‘So then, King Agrippa, I obeyed the vision that appeared from heaven.20First I preached to people in Damascus. Then I preached in Jerusalem and in all Judea. And then I preached to the Gentiles. I told them to turn away from their sins to God. The way they live must show that they have turned away from their sins.21That’s why some Jews grabbed me in the temple courtyard and tried to kill me.22But God has helped me to this day. So I stand here and tell you what is true. I tell it to everyone, both small and great. I have been saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses said would happen.23They said the Messiah would suffer. He would be the first to rise from the dead. He would bring the message of God’s light. He would bring it to his own people and to the Gentiles.’24While Paul was still presenting his case, Festus interrupted. ‘You are out of your mind, Paul!’ he shouted. ‘Your great learning is driving you crazy!’25‘I am not crazy, most excellent Festus,’ Paul replied. ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable.26The king is familiar with these things. So I can speak openly to him. I am certain he knows everything that has been going on. After all, it was not done in secret.27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.’28Then Agrippa spoke to Paul. ‘Are you trying to talk me into becoming a Christian?’ he said. ‘Do you think you can do that in such a short time?’29Paul replied, ‘I don’t care if it takes a short time or a long time. I pray to God for you and all who are listening to me today. I pray that you may become like me, except for these chains.’30The king stood up. The governor and Bernice and those sitting with them stood up too.31They left the room and began to talk with one another. ‘Why should this man die or be put in prison?’ they said. ‘He has done nothing worthy of that!’32Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free. But he has made an appeal to Caesar.’
Acts 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.
Acts 26
Einheitsübersetzung 2016
from Katholisches Bibelwerk1Da sagte Agrippa zu Paulus: Du hast die Erlaubnis, in eigener Sache zu reden. Paulus erhob die Hand und sagte zu seiner Verteidigung:2Ich schätze mich glücklich, König Agrippa, dass ich mich heute vor dir verteidigen darf wegen all der Dinge, die mir die Juden vorwerfen,3besonders, da du ein Kenner aller jüdischen Bräuche und Streitfragen bist. Deshalb bitte ich, mich großmütig anzuhören.4Das Leben, das ich seit meiner Jugend bei meinem Volk und in Jerusalem geführt habe, ist allen Juden von Anfang an bekannt. (Ga 1:13; Php 3:5)5Ich bin ihnen von früher her bekannt, und wenn sie wollen, können sie bezeugen, dass ich nach der strengsten Richtung unserer Religion gelebt habe, nämlich als Pharisäer. (Ac 23:6)6Und jetzt stehe ich vor Gericht wegen der Hoffnung auf die Verheißung, die von Gott an unsere Väter ergangen ist. (Ac 28:20)7Unser Zwölfstämmevolk hofft, sie zu erlangen, und deshalb dient es Gott unablässig bei Tag und Nacht. Dieser Hoffnung wegen, König, werde ich von den Juden angeklagt.8Warum haltet ihr es für unglaubhaft, dass Gott Tote auferweckt?9Ich selbst meinte, ich müsste den Namen Jesu, des Nazoräers, heftig bekämpfen. (Ac 9:1; Ac 22:3)10Das habe ich in Jerusalem denn auch getan. Ich ließ mir von den Hohepriestern Vollmacht geben und sperrte viele der Heiligen ins Gefängnis; und wenn sie getötet werden sollten, stimmte ich zu.11Und in allen Synagogen habe ich oft versucht, sie durch Strafen zur Lästerung zu zwingen; in maßloser Wut habe ich sie sogar bis in Städte außerhalb des Landes verfolgt.12So zog ich auch mit der Vollmacht und Erlaubnis der Hohepriester nach Damaskus.13Da sah ich unterwegs, König, mitten am Tag ein Licht, das mich und meine Begleiter vom Himmel her umstrahlte, heller als die Sonne.14Wir alle stürzten zu Boden und ich hörte eine Stimme auf Hebräisch zu mir sagen: Saul, Saul, warum verfolgst du mich? Es wird dir schwerfallen, gegen den Stachel auszuschlagen.15Ich antwortete: Wer bist du, Herr? Der Herr sagte: Ich bin Jesus, den du verfolgst.16Steh auf, stell dich auf deine Füße! Denn ich bin dir erschienen, um dich zum Diener und Zeugen dessen zu erwählen, was du gesehen hast und wie ich mich dir noch zeigen werde. (Eze 2:1; 2Co 12:1; Ga 1:15)17Ich will dich aus dem Volk und den Heiden aussondern, zu denen ich dich sende,18um ihnen die Augen zu öffnen. Denn sie sollen sich von der Finsternis zum Licht und von der Macht des Satans zu Gott bekehren und sollen durch den Glauben an mich die Vergebung der Sünden empfangen und mit den Geheiligten am Erbe teilhaben. (Isa 35:5; Isa 42:7; Isa 61:1; Col 1:13)19Daher, König Agrippa, habe ich mich der himmlischen Erscheinung nicht widersetzt,20sondern zuerst denen in Damaskus und in Jerusalem, dann im ganzen Land Judäa und bei den Heiden verkündet, sie sollten umkehren, sich Gott zuwenden und der Umkehr entsprechende Taten tun.21Aus diesem Grund haben mich einige Juden im Tempel ergriffen und versucht, mich umzubringen. (Ac 21:30)22Doch ich habe Gottes Hilfe erfahren bis zum heutigen Tag; so stehe ich da als Zeuge für Groß und Klein und sage nichts anderes als das, was nach dem Wort der Propheten und des Mose geschehen soll:23dass der Christus leiden müsse und dass er, als Erster von den Toten auferstanden, dem Volk und den Heiden ein Licht verkünden werde. (Lu 24:26; Ac 17:3; 1Co 15:20; Col 1:18)24Als er sich mit diesen Worten verteidigte, rief Festus laut: Du bist von Sinnen, Paulus! Das viele Schriftstudium treibt dich zum Wahnsinn.25Paulus erwiderte: Ich bin nicht von Sinnen, erlauchter Festus; was ich sage, ist wahr und vernünftig.26Der König versteht sich auf diese Dinge; deshalb spreche ich auch freimütig zu ihm. Ich bin überzeugt, dass ihm nichts davon entgangen ist; das alles hat sich ja nicht in irgendeinem Winkel zugetragen.27König Agrippa, glaubst du den Propheten? Ich weiß, du glaubst.28Darauf sagte Agrippa zu Paulus: Bald überredest du mich und machst mich zum Christen. (Ac 11:26; 1Pe 4:16)29Paulus antwortete: Ich wünschte mir von Gott, dass bald oder später nicht nur du, sondern alle, die mich heute hören, das werden, was ich bin, freilich ohne diese Fesseln.30Da erhoben sich der König und der Statthalter, auch Berenike und alle, die bei ihnen saßen.31Sie zogen sich zurück, besprachen sich miteinander und sagten: Dieser Mensch tut nichts, was Tod oder Haft verdient.32Und Agrippa sagte zu Festus: Dieser Mensch könnte freigelassen werden, wenn er nicht an den Kaiser appelliert hätte. (Ac 25:11)