Acts 25:1-11 ▼

1 Festus, therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea,

2 and the chief priest and the principal men of the Jews disclosed to him [the things] against Paul, and were calling on him,

3 asking favor against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.

4 Then, indeed, Festus answered that Paul is kept in Caesarea, and is himself about to go forth speedily,

5 “Therefore those able among you,” he says, “having come down together, if there be anything in this man—let them accuse him”;

6 and having tarried among them more than ten days, having gone down to Caesarea, on the next day having sat on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought;

7 and he having come, there stood around the Jews who have come down from Jerusalem—many and weighty charges they are bringing against Paul, which they were not able to prove,

8 he making defense, [said,] “Neither in regard to the Law of the Jews, nor in regard to the temple, nor in regard to Caesar—did I commit any sin.”

9 And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favor, answering Paul, said, “Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?”

10 And Paul said, “At the judgment seat of Caesar I am standing, where it is necessary for me to be judged; I did no unrighteousness to Jews, as you also very well know;

11 for if I am indeed unrighteous, and have done anything worthy of death, I do not deprecate to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favor of me to them; I appeal to Caesar!”