Acts of the Apostles

New Testament

Rainbow Missions, Inc. World English Bible. Rainbow Missions, Inc.; revision of the American Standard Version of 1901. http://ebible.org/bible/web.

while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?"

But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.

For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that these accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go."

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.

As they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.

To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused have met the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;

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

I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.

But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar."

Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will hear him."

So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

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 petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, king Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.

For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him."