1 L legado, pues, Festo a la provincia, subió de Cesarea a Jerusalén tres días después.

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

2 Y los principales sacerdotes y los más influyentes de los judíos se presentaron ante él contra Pablo, y le rogaron,

The head religious leaders and the leaders of the Jews told Festus what they had against Paul.

3 p idiendo contra él, como gracia, que le hiciese traer a Jerusalén; preparando ellos una celada para matarle en el camino.

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

4 P ero Festo respondió que Pablo estaba custodiado en Cesarea, adonde él mismo partiría en breve.

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

5 L os que de vosotros puedan, dijo, desciendan conmigo, y si hay algún crimen en este hombre, acúsenle.

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

6 Y deteniéndose entre ellos no más de ocho o diez días, venido a Cesarea, al siguiente día se sentó en el tribunal, y mandó que fuese traído Pablo.

After 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.

7 C uando éste llegó, lo rodearon los judíos que habían venido de Jerusalén, presentando contra él muchas y graves acusaciones, las cuales no podían probar;

Paul 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.

8 a legando Pablo en su defensa: Ni contra la ley de los judíos, ni contra el templo, ni contra César he pecado en nada.

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

9 P ero Festo, queriendo congraciarse con los judíos, respondiendo a Pablo dijo: ¿Quieres subir a Jerusalén, y allá ser juzgado de estas cosas delante de mí?

Festus 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?”

10 P ablo dijo: Ante el tribunal de César estoy, donde debo ser juzgado. A los judíos no les he hecho ningún agravio, como tú sabes muy bien.

Paul 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.

11 P orque si algún agravio, o cosa alguna digna de muerte he hecho, no rehúso morir; pero si nada hay de las cosas de que éstos me acusan, nadie puede entregarme a ellos. A César apelo.

If 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.”

12 E ntonces Festo, habiendo hablado con el consejo, respondió: A César has apelado; a César irás. Pablo ante Agripa y Berenice

Festus 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

13 P asados algunos días, el rey Agripa y Berenice vinieron a Cesarea para saludar a Festo.

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

14 Y como estuvieron allí muchos días, Festo expuso al rey la causa de Pablo, diciendo: Un hombre ha sido dejado preso por Félix,

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

15 r especto al cual, cuando fui a Jerusalén, se me presentaron los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos de los judíos, pidiendo condenación contra él.

When 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.

16 A éstos respondí que no es costumbre de los romanos entregar alguno a la muerte antes que el acusado tenga delante a sus acusadores, y pueda defenderse de la acusación.

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.

17 A sí que, habiendo venido ellos juntos acá, sin ninguna dilación, al día siguiente, sentado en el tribunal, mandé traer al hombre.

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

18 Y estando presentes los acusadores, ningún cargo presentaron de los que yo sospechaba,

When the others spoke, they had nothing against him that I thought they had.

19 s ino que tenían contra él ciertas cuestiones acerca de su religión, y de un cierto Jesús, ya muerto, el que Pablo afirmaba estar vivo.

They 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.

20 Y o, dudando en cuestión semejante, le pregunté si quería ir a Jerusalén y allá ser juzgado de estas cosas.

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

21 M as como Pablo apeló para que se le reservase para el conocimiento de Augusto, mandé que le custodiasen hasta que le enviara yo a César.

But 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.”

22 E ntonces Agripa dijo a Festo: Yo también quisiera oír a ese hombre. Y él le dijo: Mañana le oirás.

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

23 A l otro día, viniendo Agripa y Berenice con mucha pompa, y entrando en la audiencia con los tribunos y principales hombres de la ciudad, por mandato de Festo fue traído Pablo.

The 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.

24 E ntonces Festo dijo: Rey Agripa, y todos los varones que estáis aquí juntos con nosotros, aquí tenéis a este hombre, respecto del cual toda la multitud de los judíos me ha demandado en Jerusalén y aquí, dando voces que no debe vivir más.

Festus 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.

25 P ero yo, hallando que ninguna cosa digna de muerte ha hecho, y como él mismo apeló a Augusto, he determinado enviarle a él.

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.

26 C omo no tengo cosa cierta que escribir a mi señor, le he traído ante vosotros, y mayormente ante ti, oh rey Agripa, para que después de examinarle, tenga yo qué escribir.

When 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.

27 P orque me parece fuera de razón enviar un preso, y no informar de los cargos que haya en su contra.

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