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

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

²¹ But as to Israel he says, "All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

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,

¹⁶ To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

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

⁵¹ "Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?"

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.

¹³ He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.

²⁴ Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

²⁷ See therefore, I have stretched out my hand over you, and have diminished your ordinary [food], and delivered you to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your lewd way.