“1 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.” (Acts 25:1-27 AV)
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