But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and as Felix wanted to ingratiate himself with the Jews, he left Paul still in custody.

Three days after Festus entered his province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Festus replied that Paul would be kept in custody at Caesarea, but that he himself meant to leave for Caesarea before long ??5 "when," he added, "your competent authorities can come down with me and charge the man with whatever crime he has committed."

As Festus wanted to ingratiate himself with the Jews, he asked Paul, "Will you go up to Jerusalem and be tried there by me upon these charges?"

Then, after conferring with the council, Festus answered, "You have appealed to Caesar? Very well, you must go to Caesar! "

Some days had passed, when king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

As they were spending several days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. "There is a man," he said, "who was left in prison by Felix.

"I should like to hear the man myself," said Agrippa to Festus. "You shall hear him to-morrow," said Festus.

So next day Agrippa and Bernice proceeded with great pomp to the hall of audience, accompanied by the military commanders and the prominent civilians of the town. Festus then ordered Paul to be brought in.

"King Agrippa and all here present," said Festus, "you see before you a man of whom the entire body of the Jews at Jerusalem and also here have complained to me. They loudly insist he ought not to live any longer.

When he brought this forward in his defence, Festus called out, "Paul, you are quite mad! Your great learning is driving you insane."

"Your excellency," said Paul to Festus, "I am not mad, I am speaking the sober truth.

"He might have been released," said Agrippa to Festus, "if he had not appealed to Caesar."