Therefore be resolved<n id="1" /> not to rehearse<n id="2" /> ahead of time how to make your defense.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;Regarding all the things I have been accused of by the Jews, King Agrippa,<n id="1" /> I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today,

But when they bring you before the synagogues,<n id="1" /> the<n id="2" /> rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you should make your defense<n id="3" /> or what you should say,

Some of the crowd concluded<n id="1" /> it was about<n id="2" /> Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front.<n id="3" /> Alexander, gesturing<n id="4" /> with his hand, was wanting to make a defense<n id="5" /> before the public assembly.<n id="6" />

Paul said in his defense,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I have committed no offense<n id="2" /> against the Jewish law<n id="3" /> or against the temple or against Caesar.&#8221;<n id="4" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">So Agrippa<n id="1" /> said to Paul, &#8220;You have permission<n id="2" /> to speak for yourself.&#8221; Then Paul held out his hand<n id="3" /> and began his defense:<n id="4" />p>

<p class="bodytext">As Paul<n id="1" /> was saying these things in his defense, Festus<n id="2" /> exclaimed loudly, &#8220;You have lost your mind,<n id="3" /> Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!&#8221;

Have you been thinking all this time<n id="1" /> 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.<n id="2" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, &#8220;Because I know<n id="1" /> that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.<n id="2" />

They<n id="1" /> show that the work of the law is written<n id="2" /> in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend<n id="3" /> them,<n id="4" />