And [when] two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And [because he] wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind {as a prisoner}.

Now [when] Festus set foot in the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

Then Festus replied [that] Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and [he] himself was about to go [there] in a short time.

But Festus, [because he] wanted to do a favor for the Jews, answered [and] said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there concerning these [things]?"

Then Festus, [after] discussing [this] with [his] council, replied, "You have appealed to Caesar--to Caesar you will go!"

Now [after] some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus.

And while they were staying there many days, Festus laid out the [case] against Paul to the king, saying, "There is a certain man left behind by Felix [as] a prisoner,

So Agrippa [said] to Festus, "I want to hear the man myself also." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will hear him."

So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pageantry and entered into the audience hall, along with military tribunes and the most prominent men of the city. And [when] Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in.

And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole population of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting [that] he must not live any longer.

And [as] he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are out of your mind, Paul! [Your] great learning {is driving} you {insane}!"

But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but am speaking words of truth and rationality.

And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar."