Actuum Apostolorum 25

1 Festus ergo cum venisset in provinciam post triduum ascendit Hierosolymam a Caesarea

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

2 adieruntque eum principes sacerdotum et primi Iudaeorum adversus Paulum et rogabant eum

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

3 postulantes gratiam adversum eum ut iuberet perduci eum Hierusalem insidias tendentes ut eum interficerent in via

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

4 Festus autem respondit servari Paulum in Caesarea se autem maturius profecturum

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

5 qui ergo in vobis ait potentes sunt descendentes simul si quod est in viro crimen accusent eum

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 demoratus autem inter eos dies non amplius quam octo aut decem descendit Caesaream et altera die sedit pro tribunali et iussit Paulum adduci

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 qui cum perductus esset circumsteterunt eum qui ab Hierosolyma descenderant Iudaei multas et graves causas obicientes quas non poterant probare

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 Paulo autem rationem reddente quoniam neque in legem Iudaeorum neque in templum neque in Caesarem quicquam peccavi

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 Festus autem volens Iudaeis gratiam praestare respondens Paulo dixit vis Hierosolymam ascendere et ibi de his iudicari apud 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 dixit autem Paulus ad tribunal Caesaris sto ubi me oportet iudicari Iudaeis non nocui sicut tu melius nosti

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 si enim nocui aut dignum morte aliquid feci non recuso mori si vero nihil est eorum quae hii accusant me nemo potest me illis donare Caesarem appello

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 tunc Festus cum consilio locutus respondit Caesarem appellasti ad Caesarem ibis

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

13 et cum dies aliquot transacti essent Agrippa rex et Bernice descenderunt Caesaream ad salutandum Festum

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

14 et cum dies plures ibi demorarentur Festus regi indicavit de Paulo dicens vir quidam est derelictus a Felice vinctus

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 de quo cum essem Hierosolymis adierunt me principes sacerdotum et seniores Iudaeorum postulantes adversus illum damnationem

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

16 ad quos respondi quia non est consuetudo Romanis donare aliquem hominem priusquam is qui accusatur praesentes habeat accusatores locumque defendendi accipiat ad abluenda crimina

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 cum ergo huc convenissent sine ulla dilatione sequenti die sedens pro tribunali iussi adduci virum

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 de quo cum stetissent accusatores nullam causam deferebant de quibus ego suspicabar malum

Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;

19 quaestiones vero quasdam de sua superstitione habebant adversus eum et de quodam Iesu defuncto quem adfirmabat Paulus vivere

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 haesitans autem ego de huiusmodi quaestione dicebam si vellet ire Hierosolymam et ibi iudicari de istis

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 Paulo autem appellante ut servaretur ad Augusti cognitionem iussi servari eum donec mittam eum ad Caesarem

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 Agrippa autem ad Festum volebam et ipse hominem audire cras inquit audies eum

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

23 altera autem die cum venisset Agrippa et Bernice cum multa ambitione et introissent in auditorium cum tribunis et viris principalibus civitatis et iubente Festo adductus est Paulus

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 et dixit Festus Agrippa rex et omnes qui simul adestis nobiscum viri videtis hunc de quo omnis multitudo Iudaeorum interpellavit me Hierosolymis petens et hic clamantes non oportere eum vivere amplius

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 ego vero conperi nihil dignum eum morte admisisse ipso autem hoc appellante Augustum iudicavi mittere

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 de quo quid certum scribam domino non habeo propter quod produxi eum ad vos et maxime ad te rex Agrippa ut interrogatione facta habeam quid scribam

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 sine ratione enim mihi videtur mittere vinctum et causas eius non significare

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