[1] Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went
up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. [2] Then the high priest and the principal
men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him, [3] asking
a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; plotting to
kill him on the way. [4] However Festus answered that Paul was kept in
custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly. [5]
"Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you go down with
me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him." [6]
When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea,
and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be
brought. [7] When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem
stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they
could not prove, [8] while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law
of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at
all." [9] But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul
and said, "Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things
before me?" [10] But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar`s judgment
seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you
also know very well. [11] For if I have done wrong, and have committed
anything worthy of death, I don`t refuse to die; but if none of those
things is true that these accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I
appeal to Caesar!" [12] Then Festus, when he had conferred with the
council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go."
[13] Now when some days had passed, Agrippa, the King, and Bernice arrived
at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. [14] As they stayed there many days,
Festus laid Paul`s case before the King, saying, "There is a certain man
left a prisoner by Felix; [15] about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the
chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence
against him. [16] To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the
Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused have met the
accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense
concerning the matter laid against him. [17] When therefore they were come
together here, I didn`t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment
seat, and commanded the man to be brought. [18] Concerning whom, when the
accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;
[19] but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of
one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. [20] I, being
perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go
to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters. [21] But when Paul had
appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be
kept until I should send him to Caesar." [22] Agrippa said to Festus, "I
also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will
hear him." [23] So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with
great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the
commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of
Festus, Paul was brought in. [24] Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men
who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the
multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying
that he ought not to live any longer. [25] But when I found that he had
committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the
emperor I determined to send him. [26] Of whom I have no certain thing to
write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and
especially before you, king Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have
something to write. [27] For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a
prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him."
