Acts 26:24-32

While Paul was making this defense, Festus said loudly, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great education is turning you toward madness.” But Paul replied, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent and noble Festus, but [with a sound mind] I am uttering rational words of truth and reason. For [your majesty] the king understands these things, and [therefore] I am also speaking to him with confidence and boldness, since I am convinced that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner [hidden from view, in secret]. King Agrippa, do you believe the [writings of the] Prophets [their messages and words]? I know that you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” Then the king stood up, and [with him] the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them; and after they had gone out, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or [even] of imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Emperor Nero).”