THE BOOK OF ACTS

 

Acts Chapter 25

1 ¶ Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2 There the high priest and Jewish leaders brought charges against Paul, and kept begging him,

3 To have Paul brought to Jerusalem, as a favor, for they would be lying in wait along the road to kill him.

4 But Festus told them, that Paul would be kept in Caesarea, and that he would himself be going there soon.

5 Therefore, he said, let those among you who are able, come with me, and accuse this man, if he has done anything wrong.

6 And after he had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day, seated on the judgment seat, ordered Paul to be brought.

7 And when Paul got there, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, and brought many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.

8 Paul then said in his defense, I have not committed any offence, either against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.

9 But Festus, wanting to please the Jews, said to Paul, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and stand trial before me there concerning these things?

10 Then Paul said, I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried: I have not done the Jews any wrong, as you know perfectly well.

11 For if I am guilty, or have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die: but if there is no substance to these things they accuse me of, no one may hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.

12 Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, said, To Caesar you have appealed? to Caesar you will go.

13 ¶ A few days later king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.

14 And since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king, saying, There is a certain man left behind by Felix as a prisoner:

15 When I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, and sought a judgment against him.

16 I told them that it is not customary for Romans to deliver any man to die, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and had opportunity to defend himself concerning the charge brought against him.

17 Therefore, when they came here with me, I did not delay, but on the next day I sat on the judgment seat, and ordered the man to be brought out.

18 When his accusers stood up, they did not accuse him of anything like what I expected:

19 Instead they only had some points of disagreement with him about their own theology, and about one Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I was at a loss as to how to deal with such questions, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem, and stand trial there on these charges.

21 But after Paul appealed to be held for a decision by the Emperor, I ordered him retained until I could send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would also like to hear this man myself. He replied, You will hear him tomorrow.

23 And on the next day, after Agrippa, and Bernice, had arrived with much pomp, and entered the hall of audience, with the high ranking officers, and leading men of the city, Paul was brought out on Festus’ order.

24 Then Festus said, King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man, about whom the whole Jewish community has petitioned me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, shouting that he should not live any longer.

25 But I found that he had done nothing worthy of death, however since he himself appealed to the Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to his Majesty. Therefore I have brought him before you, and especially before you, O king Agrippa, so that, after this examination, I might have something to write.

27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner, without specifying the charges against him.