After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

Three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

and asking Festus to have Paul brought to Jerusalem as a favor. They were laying an ambush to kill him on the road.

Festus replied that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself would be going there soon.

Festus stayed with them no more than eight or ten days and then went down to Caesarea. The next day, he sat on the judge's seat and ordered Paul brought in.

Then Festus, wanting to do the Jewish leaders a favor, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried there before me on these charges?"

Festus talked it over with the council and then answered, "To the emperor you have appealed; to the emperor you will go!"

After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to welcome Festus.

Since they were staying there for several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. He said, "There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix.

Agrippa told Festus, "I would like to hear the man." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will hear him."

The next day, Agrippa and Bernice arrived with much fanfare and went into the auditorium along with the tribunes and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all you men who are present with us! You see this man about whom the whole Jewish nation petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

As he continued his defense, Festus shouted, "You're out of your mind, Paul! Too much education is driving you crazy!"

But Paul said, "I'm not out of my mind, Your Excellency Festus. I'm reporting what is absolutely true.

Agrippa told Festus, "This man could have been set free if he hadn't appealed to the emperor."