1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. 4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. 5 Let them therefore that are of power among you, saith he, go down with me, and if there is any wickedness in this man, let them accuse him.

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about, bringing many and grievous charges against Paul, which they could not prove; 8 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. 9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. 11 For if I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus. 14 And as he tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 17 When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought against him no charge of such things as I supposed; 19 but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning this, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar. 22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. And he saith, Tomorrow thou shalt hear him.

23 So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains also, and they that were the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as even he himself appealed to the emperor I 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 especially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.