But at the close of two whole years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and as he wanted to gratify the Jews, Felix left Paul still in prison.

Now three days after his arrival Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,

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

Then Festus, as he wanted to ingratiate himself with the Jews, said to Paul, "Will you go up to Jerusalem and be tried on these charges before me there?"

Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered, "To the emperor you have appealed, to the emperor you shall go!"

After the passing of a few days, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay official respects to Festus,

and as they stayed 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,

"I should like to hear the man myself," said Agrippa to Festus. "Tomorrow you shall hear him," said Festus.

So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with splendid pomp and went into the audience-room, attended by the colonels and the leading citizens of the town, and at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Then Festus said: "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you now see this man about whom the whole Jewish nation made suit to me, both in Jerusalem and here, continuously clamoring that he ought not to live any longer.

As Paul continued to make his defense, Festus shouted aloud, "You are going crazy, Paul! That great learning of yours is driving you crazy!"

Paul answered, "I am not going crazy, your Excellency, Festus, but I am telling the straight truth.

Agrippa said to Festus, "He might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to the emperor."