A short time after this King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

"I should like to hear the man, myself," said Agrippa to Festus. Festus answered, "You shall hear him tomorrow."

So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and took their places in the hall of audience, accompanied by the tribunes and men of high rank in the city. At the command of Festus Paul was brought in.

"King Agrippa," said Festus, "and all men who are present with us, you see here the man about whom the entire body of the Jews at Jerusalem, and here also, sent to me, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

"Now I have nothing very definite to tell our sovereign about him. So I have brought the man before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, in order that, after examination, I may have something to write.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched forth his hand and began to make his defense.

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day, in regard to all the accusations brought against me by the Jews;

"a promise which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. It is concerning this hope, King Agrippa, that I am accused by the Jews.

"So then, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision;

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

Agrippa answered, "In short, you are doing your best to persuade me to become a Christian."

And Agrippa said to Festus, "If he had not appealed to Caesar, he might have been set free."