But after two full years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and because he wished to curry favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul still in prison.

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

But Festus answered that Paul was in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there soon.

But Festus, wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Will you go up to Jerusalem and be tried there by me upon these charges?"

Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered. "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go."

A short time after this King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

And while they tarried many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. "There is a man here," he said, "whom Felix left a prisoner.

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

So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and took their places in the hall of audience, accompanied by the tribunes and men of high rank in the city. At the command of Festus Paul was brought in.

"King Agrippa," said Festus, "and all men who are present with us, you see here the man about whom the entire body of the Jews at Jerusalem, and here also, sent to me, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

As Paul thus made his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice. "Paul, you are raving mad; your great learning is driving you mad."

"I am not mad, most noble Festus," said Paul,

And Agrippa said to Festus, "If he had not appealed to Caesar, he might have been set free."