Act 25 | RKJN | STEP | Now three days after Festus had come into the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

‏ Acts 25

1 Now three days after Festus had come into the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews brought to him charges against Paul, and begged him, 3 Asking as a favour, that he would have him brought to Jerusalem, for they were planning an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would soon depart for there. 5 Therefore, let the influential ones among you go down with me, and accuse this man, if there is any wickedness in him. 6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he had come, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem stood around, and brought many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 Paul answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any way. 9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favour, answered Paul, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged about these charges before me? 10 Then Paul said, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 If I am an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die: but if there is no truth to the things of which these men accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go. 13 And after some days king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's case to the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a judgment against him. 16 I answered them, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before he who is accused meets the accusers face to face, and has the opportunity to defend himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they had come here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain disagreements with him about their own superstition, and about one Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul claimed to be alive. 20 And because I was at a loss how to investigate such questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and be judged there about these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be held for a decision by the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I might send him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would like hear the man myself. Tomorrow, he said, you shall hear him. 23 So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came, with great pomp, and entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city. At Festus' command, Paul was brought forth. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have petitioned me, both in Jerusalem, and also here, crying out that he ought no longer to live. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he has appealed to the emperor, I have determined to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, O king Agrippa, that, after examination, I might have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not to specify the crimes laid against him.