Paul's Trial Before Festus

1Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

2Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and urged him,

3And desired a favor from him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him along the way.

4But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart there shortly.

5Let them therefore, said he, who among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

6And 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.

7And when he was come, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

8While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all.

9But Festus, willing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul, and said, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

Paul Appeals to Caesar

10Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as you very well know.

11For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things of which these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Have you appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shall you go.

Paul Before King Agrippa

13And after some days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to greet Festus.

14And 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:

15About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and have opportunity to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17Therefore, when they were come here, without any delay the next day I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed:

19But had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20And because I was perplexed concerning such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, you shall hear him.

23And the next day, 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.

24And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have petitioned me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself has appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before you, O king Agrippa, that, after examination, I might have somewhat to write.

27For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not to specify the crimes laid against him.