1 T hree days after Festus had become leader in the country, he went from the city of Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Now when Festus had entered into his own province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

2 T he head religious leaders and the leaders of the Jews told Festus what they had against Paul.

And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid charges before him against Paul, and they kept begging and urging him,

3 T hey asked Festus for a favor. They wanted Paul to be brought to Jerusalem because they had plans to kill him on the way.

Asking as a favor that he would have him brought to Jerusalem; they were planning an ambush to slay him on the way.

4 F estus told them that Paul was to be kept in Caesarea and that he would be going there soon.

Festus answered that Paul was in custody in Caesarea and that he himself planned to leave for there soon.

5 F estus said, “If Paul has done anything wrong, let your leaders go along with me and say what they have against him.”

So, said he, let those who are in a position of authority and are influential among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss or criminal about the man, let them so charge him.

6 A fter staying with them about ten days, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat in the courtroom and asked for Paul to be brought in.

So when Festus had remained among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, took his seat the next day on the judgment bench, and ordered Paul to be brought before him.

7 P aul came into the courtroom. The Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They said many bad things against him. But they could not prove any of the things they said.

And when he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood all around him, bringing many grave accusations against him which they were not able to prove.

8 P aul spoke for himself, saying, “I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews or against the house of God or against Caesar.”

Paul declared in defense, Neither against the Law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in any way.

9 F estus was hoping to get the respect of the Jews. He asked Paul, “Will you go to the court in Jerusalem and let me say if you are guilty or not about these things?”

But Festus, wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, answered Paul, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be put on trial '> before the Jewish Sanhedrin] in my presence concerning these charges?

10 P aul said, “I am standing in front of Caesar’s court where I should be told I am right or wrong. I have done no wrong to the Jews. You know that.

But Paul replied, I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know better.

11 I f I have done wrong and should die, I am not trying to keep from dying. But if these things they say against me are not true, no one can give me over to them. I ask to be taken to Caesar.”

If then I am a wrongdoer and a criminal and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not beg off and seek to escape death; but if there is no ground for their accusations against me, no one can give me up and make a present of me '> give me up freely] to them. I appeal to Caesar.

12 F estus talked to the leaders of the court. Then he said to Paul, “You have asked to be taken to Caesar. You will go to him.” Festus Tells King Agrippa about Paul

Then Festus, when he had consulted with the '> men who formed his] council, answered, You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.

13 A fter a few days, King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, came down to Caesarea. They went to Festus to greet him.

Now after an interval of some days, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

14 T hey stayed there a few days. Festus told them about Paul. He said, “There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix.

And while they remained there for many days, Festus acquainted the king with Paul’s case, telling him, There is a man left a prisoner in chains by Felix;

15 W hen I was at Jerusalem, the head religious leaders and the leaders of the people told me about him and asked me to say that he is guilty.

And when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him, petitioning for a judicial hearing and condemnation of him.

16 I told them it was against the Roman law to hand over a man to be put to death before he stood face to face with those who had something against him and could speak for himself.

But I replied to them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up freely any man for punishment before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to defend himself concerning the charge brought against him.

17 W hen they came here, I took my seat in the courtroom at once. I had the man brought in.

So when they came here together, I did not delay, but on the morrow took my place on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought before me.

18 W hen the others spoke, they had nothing against him that I thought they had.

when the accusers stood up, they brought forward no accusation of any such misconduct as I was expecting.

19 T hey did not agree with him about their own religion, and they argued about someone called Jesus. He had died but Paul kept saying He was alive.

Instead they had some points of controversy with him about their own religion or superstition and concerning one Jesus, Who had died but Whom Paul kept asserting to be alive.

20 I did not know what to do. Then I asked him if he would go on trial about these things at Jerusalem.

And I, being puzzled to know how to make inquiries into such questions, asked whether he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be tried regarding them.

21 B ut Paul asked to go on trial in front of Caesar. I said that he should be kept in prison until he could be sent to Caesar.”

But when Paul had appealed to have his case retained for examination and decision by the emperor, I ordered that he be detained until I could send him to Caesar.

22 A grippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man.” Festus said, “Tomorrow you will hear him.” Paul Stands in Front of King Agrippa

Then Agrippa said to Festus, I also desire to hear the man myself. Tomorrow, replied, you shall hear him.

23 T he next day Agrippa and Bernice came into the courtroom. They were dressed to show their greatness as king and queen. Army leaders and leading men of the city came in with them. Festus had Paul brought in.

So the next day Agrippa and Bernice approached with great display, and they went into the audience hall accompanied by the military commandants and the prominent citizens of the city. At the order of Festus Paul was brought in.

24 F estus said, “King Agrippa and all of you who are here with us, you see this man. All of the Jews both here and at Jerusalem are saying that Paul should be put to death.

Then Festus said, King Agrippa and all the men present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people came to me and complained, both at Jerusalem and here, insisting and shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

25 I have heard nothing against him that would be reason to put him to death. But he asked for a trial in front of Caesar. I have agreed to send Paul to him.

But I found nothing that he had done deserving of death. Still, as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him to Rome.

26 W hen I write to Caesar, I have nothing to say against him. For this reason, I brought him in front of you all and in front of you, King Agrippa. After we ask him questions, I may have something to write about.

I have nothing in particular and definite to write to my lord concerning him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after examination has been made, I may have something to put in writing.

27 I t is foolish for me to send a man up for trial without writing what is against him.”

For it seems to me senseless and absurd to send a prisoner and not state the accusations against him.