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.
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