GetPassage urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0031.tlg005.perseus-eng2:25.1-25.20 urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0031.tlg005.perseus-eng2:25.1-25.20

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

Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,

asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.

However Festus answered that Paul was kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.

"Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him."

When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,

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.