25 Now
when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from
Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then
the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and
besought him, 3 And
desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying
wait in the way to kill him. 4 But
Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself
would depart shortly thither. 5 Let
them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and
accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6 And
when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea;
and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And
when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round
about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they
could not prove. 8 While
he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither
against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing
at all. 9 But
Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt
thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 Then
said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged:
to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For
if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse
not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse
me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12 Then
Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed
unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. 13 And
after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute
Festus. 14 And
when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto
the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of
the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16 To
whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to
die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and
have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore,
when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the
judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against
whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things
as I supposed: 19 But
had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one
Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And
because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would
go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21 But
when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded
him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. 22 Then
Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said
he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And
on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and
was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal
men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. 24 And
Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye
see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me,
both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But
when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he
himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of
whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought
him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after
examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27 For
it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify
the crimes laid against him.
