¹⁴ But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;

¹⁹ He answered him, "Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me."

² The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.

⁴ For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different gospel, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.

¹ I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.

³ For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,

¹ Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.

² "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews,

²⁶ Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.

¹⁸ Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;

¹⁹ but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

²⁰ Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.

¹¹ For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

²⁷ "This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

³⁹ But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people."

⁴⁰ When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

¹ "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you."

² When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,

¹⁸ For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.

¹² But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.

¹³ It will turn out as a testimony for you.

¹⁴ Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.

¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."

¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: