1Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
2“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews,
3especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.
4Surely all the Jews know how I have lived from my earliest childhood among my own people, and also in Jerusalem.
5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
6And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers,
7the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.
8Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?