Acts 25

1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem.

When Festus, therefore, was come into the province, after three days, he went up from Cesarea to Jerusalem;

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

and the high priest, and the chief among the Jews, appeared before him against Paul, and entreated him

3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying an ambush to kill him by the way.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly [thither].

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would shortly set out for that place:

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.

therefore, said he, Let those of you who are able, go down with me; and if there be anything criminal in this man, let them accuse him.

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

And, having continued among them more than ten days, he went down to Cesarea; and the next day, sitting down on the tribunal, he 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.

And when he appeared, the Jews, who came down from Jerusalem, stood round about, bringing many heavy accusations against Paul, which they were not able to prove;

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.

while he answered for himself--Neither against the laws of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cesar, have I committed any offense 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?

But Festus, willing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged before me, concerning these things?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

But Paul said, I am standing at Cesar's tribunal, where I ought to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you know perfectly well.

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 Cæsar.

For, if, indeed, I have done wrong, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if there is no fact of which they accuse me, no man can give me up to gratify them! I appeal to Cesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.

Then Festus, having spoken with the council, answered, Have you appealed to Cesar? To Cesar you shall go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus.

And when some days were passed, King Agrippa, and Bernice, came to Cesarea, to pay their respects to 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:

And as they continued there many days, Festus laid before the king the case of Paul, 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.

concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews, informed me, desiring 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.

To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, till he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and be allowed an opportunity of making his defense, as to the crime laid to his charge.

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.

When, therefore, they were come hither, I, without any delay, sat down on the tribunal next day, 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:

Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge 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.

but had certain questions against him, relating to their own religion, and about one Jesus, that 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.

But as I was dubious of the question relating to him, I said, that if he were willing, he should go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things.

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 Cæsar.

But Paul, appealing to be kept to the hearing of his majesty, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Cesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

Then Agrippa said to Festus, I also would willingly hear the man myself. And he said, To-morrow you shall 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.

The next day, therefore, Agrippa and Bernice, coming with great pomp, and entering into the place of audience, with the commanders and principal men of the city; at the command of Festus, 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.

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all you who are present with us! you see this man, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews have pleaded with me, both at Jerusalem, and here, crying out 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.

But I could not apprehend him to have done anything worthy of death; yet, as he himself has appealed to his majesty, 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.

Concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to my master: wherefore, I have brought him out before you all; and especially before you, King Agrippa! that, after examination taken, I may have something to write:

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes [laid] against him.

for it seems to me absurd, to send a prisoner, and not to signify the crimes alleged against him.