But, after the lapse of two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and, wishing to gain popularity with the Jews, he left Paul a prisoner.

Three days after Festus had entered upon his province, he left Caesarea and went up to Jerusalem.

But Festus answered that Paul was in prison at Caesarea, and that he himself would be leaving for that place shortly.

After staying among them some eight or ten days, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he took his seat on the Bench, and ordered Paul to be brought before him.

But, as Festus wished to gain popularity with the Jews, he interrupted Paul with the question: "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried on these charges before me there?"

Upon that, Festus, after conferring with his Council, answered: "You have appealed to the Emperor; to the Emperor you shall go."

Some days later King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea, and paid a visit of congratulation to Festus;

And, as they were staying there for several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King. "There is a man here," he said, "left a prisoner by Felix,

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

So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come in full state and had entered the Audience Chamber, with the superior officers and the principal people of the city, by the order of Festus Paul was brought before them.

Then Festus said: "King Agrippa, and all here present, you see before you the man about whom the whole Jewish people have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly asserting that he ought not to be allowed to live.

While Paul was making this defense, Festus called out loudly: "You are mad, Paul; your great learning is driving you mad."

And, speaking to Festus, Agrippa added: "The man might have been discharged, if he had not appealed to the Emperor."