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 come to the 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.

Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned 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 summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.

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

But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there 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.”

“Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in 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 remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he 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.

When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, 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 he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything 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, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

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.

So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.

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.”

For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me 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 conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!” Paul Before Agrippa

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

And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet 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.

When they had been 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 the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment 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 them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’

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

Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.

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

When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such 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 some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, 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 because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning 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 appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till 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 would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “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, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command 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 said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit 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 when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided 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.

I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.

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 unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”