Acts 25:1-11 ▼

1 NOW when Fes’tus arrived at Cæsa- re’a, after three days he went up to Jerusalem.

2 Then the high priests and Jewish leaders informed him against Paul.

3 They besought him as a favor to send for him and bring him to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him on the way.

4 But Fes’tus answered that Paul should be kept at Cæs-a-re’a, and that he himself was shortly going there.

5 Therefore, said he, let those who are able among you come down with us and accuse the man about any offense which can be found against him.

6 And when he had tarried there eight or ten days, he went down to Cæs-a-re’a, and the next day he sat on the judgment seat and commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he was come, the Jews who had come from Jerusalem surrounded him, and brought against him many serious charges which they could not prove.

8 Then Paul answered, I have committed no offense against the Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Cæsar.

9 But Festus, because he was willing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, Would you be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be tried of these things before me?

10 Paul answered and said, I stand before Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried: I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know.

11 If I had committed any crime or had done anything worthy of death, I should not refuse to die: but if there is no truth in the charges made against me, then no man may deliver me to them just to please them. I appeal to Cæsar.