Now when a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus.

Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."

So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

But I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write.

Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

"I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,

"So, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do."

And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time you think to persuade me to become a Christian!"

And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."