After some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid a courtesy call on Festus.

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.”

“Tomorrow you will hear him,” he replied.

So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the commanders and prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in.

Then Festus said: “King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish community has appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he should not live any longer.

I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this examination is over, I may have something to write.

Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.”

Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

“I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defense before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews,

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

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

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?”

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