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25:1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days
he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
25:2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him
against Paul, and besought him,
25:3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to
Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
25:4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and
that he himself would depart shortly thither.
25:5 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.
25:6 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.
25:7 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.
25:8 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.
25:9 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?
25:10 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.
25:11 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.
25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered,
Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto
Caesarea to salute Festus.
25:14 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:
25:15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment
against him.
25:16 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.
25:17 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.
25:18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none
accusation of such things as I supposed:
25:19 But had certain questions against him of their own
superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul
affirmed to be alive.
25:20 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.
25:21 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.
25:22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man
myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
25:23 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.
25:24 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.
25:25 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.
25:26 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.
25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not
withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
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