After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

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

So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience hall, along with the senior military officers and the prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in.

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

But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this preliminary hearing I may have something to write.

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

"Regarding all the things I have been accused of by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today,

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

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

Agrippa said to Paul, "In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?"

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