Paul’s Trial before Festus

1Festus therefore having come to the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cesarea. 2And the chief priest and first of the Jews exhibited to him against Paul, and besought him, 3Asking favor against him, that he might send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambuscade to kill him in the way. 4Then truly answered Festus, Paul to be kept in Cesarea, and himself quickly about to go forth. 5Therefore the able among you, he says, having gone down together, if there be anything in this man, let them accuse him.

6And having tarried with them more than ten days, having gone down to Cesarea, on the morrow, having sat upon the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 7And he having come, the Jews having come down from Jerusalem stood round about, bringing many and heavy charges against Paul, which they could not prove. 8He justifying himself, That neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned any thing. 9And Festus, wishing to render a favor to the Jews, having answered Paul, said, Wilt thou, having gone up to Jerusalem, there be judged by me of these things?

Paul Appeals to Caesar

10And Paul said, At Caesar's judgment seat am I standing where I must he judged: I injured the Jews nothing, as thou also knowest better. 11For if truly I act with injustice, and have done anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing of which these accuse me, no one can yield me up to them. I appeal to Caesar. 12Then Festus, having conversed with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed to Caesar, to Caesar shalt thou go.

Festus Consults Agrippa

13And certain days having intervened, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cesarea, having saluted Festus. 14And as they tarried there many days, Festus set up to the king the things of Paul, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15About whom, I being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews exhibited, asking judgment against him. 16To whom I answered, That it is not the custom to Romans to yield up any man to destruction, before that the accused may have the accusers before the face, and take place for defence for the accusation. 17Therefore, they having come here together, having made no delay, in order having sat upon the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be brought. 18About whom the accusers, having stood up, brought no charge of what I supposed: 19But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of a certain Jesus, having died, whom Paul declared living. 20And I doubting at the question concerting this, said, If he be willing to go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things. 21And Paul having appealed for him to be kept for the determination of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I send him to Caesar. 22And Agrippa said to Festus, I wished myself also to hear the man. And he said, Tomorrow thou shalt hear him.

Paul before Agrippa and Bernice

23Therefore the morrow, Agrippa having come, and Bernice, with much display, and having come into the hall, also with captains of thousands, and men of the city being in eminence, and Festus having commanded, Paul was brought. 24And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men being present with us, ye behold this, of whom all the multitude of Jews addressed me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out he must no more live. 25And I discovering nothing he has done worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Augustus, I judged to send him. 26Of whom I have not anything certain to write to the lord. Wherefore I brought him to you, and especially to thee, king Agrippa, so that, examination having been, I should have some thing to write. 27For it seems to me unreasonable sending one in bonds, and not to signify the charges against him.