Acts 25

MLV(i) 1 Therefore after three days, having stepped into the province, Festus went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Now the high-priest and the foremost ones of the Jews disclosed to him things against Paul, and they were pleading with him, 3 asking for a favor against him, that he might send for him to come to Jerusalem; making a plot to assassinate him on the road.
4 Therefore indeed, Festus answered that Paul is to be kept in Caesarea, but he himself is about to travel out there shortly. 5 Therefore he says, The mighty ones among you go down together with me if there is anything evil in this man, let them accuse him.
6 Now having stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. On the next-day having sat upon the judicial-seat, he commanded Paul to be led before him. 7 Now when he came, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and cruel accusations against Paul, which they were not strong-enough to show.
8 Then Paul, making his defense, said, Neither against the law of the Jews nor against the temple nor against Caesar, have I sinned in anything.
9 But Festus, wishing to lay up a favor for himself with the Jews, answered and said to Paul, Are you willing, after having gone to Jerusalem, to be judged there concerning these things in front of me?
10 But Paul said, I am standing in front of Caesar’s judicial-seat, where it is essential for me to be judged. I did not wrong the Jews, as you also fully well know. 11 For if I indeed am wronging anyone, and have practiced anything worthy of death, I do not renounce to die, but if there is nothing of what these are accusing me; no one is able to grant me to them. I myself am appealing to Caesar. 12 Then Festus, having spoken together with the council, answered, You have appealed to be in front of Caesar, then you will be traveling to Caesar.
13 Now when some days had elapsed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 Now as they were staying there many days, Festus submitted to the King, the things according to Paul’s case, saying, There is a certain man, a prisoner, who is left behind by Felix; 15 concerning whom, when I happened to be in Jerusalem, the high-priests and the elders of the Jews disclosed things to me, asking for a sentence against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not a custom with Romans to grant as a favor any man to destruction, even before he who is accused, might have the accusers face to face, and might receive a chance for defense concerning the accusation.
17 Therefore, when they came together here, I did not postpone their meeting, but on the next day, having sat upon the judicial-seat, I commanded the man to be brought. 18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they were bringing no accusation of things as I had perceived; 19 but they were having some debates with him concerning their own religion and concerning someone named Jesus, who had died, whom Paul was claiming to be living. 20 But I, being perplexed as to the debate concerning this, was saying to him, if he plans to travel to Jerusalem and to be judged there concerning these things. 21 But when Paul himself had appealed to be kept for the decision of the Emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I should send him to Caesar. 22 But Agrippa said to Festus, I was also planning to hear from the man myself.
Now he says, You will hear him on the next-day.
23 Therefore on the next-day, Agrippa and Bernice came with much pomp, and entered into the auditorium together with both, the commanders and men according to prominence, who are from the city, and when Festus commanded, Paul was led before him. 24 And Festus says, King Agrippa, and all who are here together with us, you view this man, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying that it is essential for him to live no longer. 25 But I am comprehending that he has practiced nothing worthy of death, and I decided to send him, since he himself had also appealed to the Emperor; 26 concerning whom, I do not have any certainty as what to write to my lord. Hence, I led him in front of you and especially in front of you, King Agrippa, that, when his examination happens, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to be sending a prisoner, and not to signify the accusations against him.