Acts 25

1 And when Festus arrived at Caesarea, he, after three days, went up to Jerusalem.

2 And the chief priests and the head men of the Jews made representations to him concerning Paul.

3 And they petitioned him, asking of him the favor, that he would send for him to come to Jerusalem; they placing an ambush to slay him by the way.

4 But Festus made answer: Paul is in custody at Caesarea, whither I am in haste to go.

5 Therefore, let those among you who are able, go down with us, and make presentment of every offence there is in the man.

6 And when he had been there eight or ten days, he came down to Caesarea. And the next day, he sat on the tribunal, and commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he came, the Jews who had come from Jerusalem surrounded him, and preferred against him many and weighty charges, which they were unable to substantiate.

8 Meanwhile Paul maintained, that he had committed no offence, either against the Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar.

9 But Festus, because he was disposed to conciliate the favor of the Jews, said to Paul: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried before me for these things?

10 Paul replied, and said: I stand before Caesar's tribunal: here I ought to be tried. Against the Jews I have committed no offence, as thou also well knowest.

11 If I had committed any crime, or done any thing worthy of death, I would not refuse to die. But if none of the things of which they accuse me, is upon me, no one may sacrifice me to their pleasure. I announce an appeal to Caesar.

12 Then Festus conferred with his counsellors, and said: Hast thou declared an appeal to Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 And when some days had passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been with him: some days, Festus related to the king the case of Paul, saying: A certain man was left a prisoner by Felix:

15 And when I was at Jerusalem, the: chief priests and the Elders of the Jews informed me respecting him, and desired that I would pass judgment upon him in their favor.

16 And I told them, It is not the custom of the Romans, to give up a man gratuitously to be slain; until his accuser appeareth and chargeth him to his face, and opportunity is afforded him to make defence respecting what is charged upon him.

17 And: when I had come hither, without delay, I the next day sat on the tribunal, and commanded the man to be brought before me.

18 And his accusers stood up with him; and they were not able to substantiate any criminal charge against him, as I had expected;

19 but they had certain controversies with him respecting their worship, and respecting one Jesus, who died, but who, as Paul said, was alive.

20 And because I was not well established in regard to these questions, I said to Paul: Dost thou ask to go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these matters?

21 But he requested to be reserved for a trial before Caesar: and I ordered him to be kept, till I could send him to Caesar.

22 And Agrippa said: I should like to hear that man. And Festus said: To-morrow thou shalt hear him.

23 And the next day, came Agrippa and Bernice, with great pomp, and entered the house of trials, with the Chiliarchs and chiefs of the city: and Festus commanded, and Paul came.

24 And Festus said: King Agrippa, and all persons present with us; concerning this man whom ye see, all the people of the Jews applied to me, at Jerusalem and also here, crying out, that he ought no longer to live.

25 Yet on investigation, I found that he hath done nothing deserving death. But, because he requested to be reserved for the hearing of Caesar, I have ordered him to be sent.

26 And I know not what I can write to Caesar, in regard to him: and therefore I wished to bring him before you, and especially before thee, king Agrippa; that when his case shall have been heard, I may find what to write.

27 For it is unsuitable, when we send up a prisoner, not to designate his offence.