Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your 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,

But when they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you should make your defense or what you should say,

Some of the crowd concluded it was about Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. Alexander, gesturing with his hand, was wanting to make a defense before the public assembly.

Paul said in his defense, “I have committed no offense against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

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

As Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed loudly, “You have lost your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.

When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.

They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them,