Acts

25 Festus therefore, having come upon the province, after three days went up unto Jerusalem from Caesarea;

2 and the High-priest and chiefs of the Jews laid information before him against Paul, and began to beseech him

3 asking for themselves as a favour against him, that he would send for him unto Jerusalem,—making an ambush to kill him on the way.

4 Festus therefore answered, that Paul should be kept in Caesarea and that he himself was about shortly to be going out [thither].

5 They therefore among you (saith he) who are in power let them go down with me; and if there is in the man anything amiss let them accuse him.

6 And spending among them not more than eight or ten days he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow taking his place upon the judgment-seat ordered Paul to be brought.

7 And when he presented himself the Jews who from Jerusalem had come down stood round about him, many and grievous charges bringing against [him], which they were not able to prove,—

8 Paul saying in defence—Neither against the law of the Jews nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I in anything sinned.

9 But Festus wishing with the Jews to gain favour answered Paul and said—Art thou willing unto Jerusalem to go up, and there concerning these things be judged before me?

10 But Paul said—Standing before the judgment-seat of Caesar am I, where I ought to be judged. Unto the Jews have I done no wrong, as even thou right well art discovering.

11 If then on the one hand I am doing wrong, and anything worthy of death have committed I excuse not myself from dying; but on the other hand if there is nothing in the things whereof these are accusing me no man hath power to give me unto them as a favour:—Unto Caesar I appeal!

12 Then Festus having conversed with the council answered—Unto Caesar hast thou appealed? Unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 And some days having gone by Agrippa the king and Bernicè came down to Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 And as they were spending more days there Festus repeated unto the king the things relating to Paul, saying—A certain man hath been left behind by Felix as a prisoner;

15 concerning whom when I happened to be in Jerusalem the High-priests and the Elders of the Jews laid information, claiming against him a condemnation:

16 unto whom I made answer—That it is not a custom with Romans to grant as a favour any man before the accused face to face should have his accusers, and opportunity of defence should receive concerning the charge.

17 When therefore they had come together here no delay whatever making, on the next day taking my place upon the judgment-seat I ordered the man to be brought:

18 Concerning whom taking their stand his accusers no accusation at all were bringing of the evil things which I had been suspecting;

19 but certain questions concerning their own demon-worship had they against him, and concerning one Jesus who had died, whom Paul was affirming to be alive.

20 And I being at a loss as to the inquiry into these things was asking—Whether he might be minded to go unto Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things.

21 But Paul having appealed to be kept for the decision of the Emperor I ordered him to be kept until I could send him up unto Caesar.

22 And Agrippa [said] unto Festus—I could wish myself also to hear the man. To-morrow (saith he) thou shalt hear him.

23 On the morrow therefore when Agrippa had come and Bernicè with great display, and they had entered into the audience-chamber, with the captains of thousands and men of distinction of the city,—and Festus had given orders Paul was brought.

24 And Festus saith—King Agrippa! and all ye men here present with us: Ye observe this person, concerning whom one and all the throng of the Jews have interceded with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying aloud that he ought not to be living any longer.

25 But I gathered that nothing worthy of death had he committed; and this man himself having appealed unto the Emperor I decided to send him:—

26 Concerning whom anything certain to write unto my lord I have not; wherefore I have brought him forth before you,—and especially before thee, King Agrippa! in order that after examination had I might have something I could write;

27 For unreasonable unto me it seemeth, when sending a prisoner not also the accusations against him to signify.