Acts 25

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

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

3 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 Cesarea, and that he himself would shortly set out for that place:

5 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, 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 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 laws of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cesar, have I committed any offense at all.

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

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

14 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 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, 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 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 no charge of such things as I supposed;

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

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