³¹ he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the ^[a]Christ, that ^(A)He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh ^[b]suffer decay.

²² So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day ^(A)testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what ^(B)the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, ²³ as to ^(C)whether the ^[a]Christ was ^[b]to suffer, and whether, as ^(D)first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim ^(E)light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

²⁴ While ^[c]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! ^[d]Your great ^(F)learning is ^[e]driving you insane.” ²⁵ But Paul *said, “I am not insane, ^(G)most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with ^[f]truthful and rational words. ²⁶ For the king ^[g](H)knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a ^[h]corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” ²⁸ Agrippa replied to Paul, “^[i]In a short time you are going to persuade me to ^[j]make a ^(I)Christian of myself.” ²⁹ And Paul said, “I would ^[k]wish to God that even ^[l]in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these ^(J)chains.”

^30 (K)The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, ³¹ and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “^(L)This man is not doing anything deserving death or ^[m]imprisonment.” ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been ^(M)set free if he had not ^(N)appealed to Caesar.”