1 When Festus was come into the province, after three days, he ascended from Caesarea unto Jerusalem.
2 Then informed him the high priests, and the chief of the Jews, of Paul. And they besought him,
3 and desired favour against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, and laid wait for him in the way to kill him.
4 Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea: but that he himself would shortly depart thither.
5 "Let them therefore," said he, "which among you are able to do it come down with us and accuse him, if there be any fault in the man."
6 When he had tarried there more than ten days he departed unto Caesarea, and the next day sat down in the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
7 When he was come, the Jews which were come from Jerusalem came about him and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul: which they could not prove
8 as long as he answered for himself, that he had neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar offended anything at all.
9 Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, "Wilt thou go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?"
10 Then said Paul, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews have I no harm done, as thou verily well knowest.
11 If I have hurt them, or committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die. If none of these things are, whereof they accuse me, no man ought to deliver me to them. I appeal unto Caesar."
12 Then spake Festus with deliberation, and answered, "Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go."
13 After a certain days, King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there a good season, Festus rehearsed Paul's cause unto the king saying, "There is a certain man left in prison of Felix,
15 about whom when I came to Jerusalem the high priests, and elders of the Jews informed me, and desired to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, 'It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man that he should perish, before that he which is accused, have the accusers before him, and have license to answer for himself, concerning the crime laid against him.'
17 "When they were come hither, without delay on the morrow I sat to give judgment, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus which was dead; whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 Then when Paul had appealed to be kept unto the knowledge of Caesar, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar."
22 Agrippa said unto Festus, "I would also hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," said he, "thou shalt hear him."
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and were entered into the council house with the captains and chief men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth,
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 been with me, both at Jerusalem and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 Yet found I nothing worthy of death that he had committed. Nevertheless, seeing that he hath appealed to Caesar, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him unto you, and especially unto thee, king Agrippa, that after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For me thinketh it unreasonable for to send a prisoner, and not to show the causes, which are laid against him."