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

Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

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 informed him against Paul; and they besought 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 a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill 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.

Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.

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

Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse 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.

And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

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 was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not 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.”

while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.

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, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

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 said, I am standing before Caesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.

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 wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto 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 conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou 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 when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted 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 as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner 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.

about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against 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.

To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

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

When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

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

Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;

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.

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

And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.

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 be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should 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

And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt 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 on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command 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.

And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying 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 that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

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.

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

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

For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.