I replied, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat those in the various synagogues who believed in you.

the commanding officer ordered Paul to be brought back into the barracks. He told them to interrogate Paul by beating him with a lash so that he could find out the reason the crowd was shouting at Paul in this way.

When they had stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing nearby, “Is it legal for you to lash a man who is a Roman citizen without a proper trial?”

When the centurion heard this, he went to the commanding officer and reported it, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

Paul replied, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’”

They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to partake of anything until we have killed Paul.

But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered the barracks and told Paul.

The commanding officer took him by the hand, withdrew privately, and asked, “What is it that you want to report to me?”

When I was informed there would be a plot against this man, I sent him to you at once, also ordering his accusers to state their charges against him before you.

“So,” he said, “let your leaders go down there with me, and if this man has done anything wrong, they may bring charges against him.”

When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they were not able to prove.

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!”

The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him to go to his friends so they could provide him with what he needed.

Since considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because the fast was already over, Paul advised them,

When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.”

But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.”

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.

and I always ask in my prayers, if perhaps now at last I may succeed in visiting you according to the will of God.