But when two whole years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and as he wanted to gratify the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.

Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,

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

Then Festus, wishing to gratify the Jews, said to Paul, "Will you go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?"

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

Some time after, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea on a state visit to Festus,

and as they stayed there several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. "There is a man here," he said, "who was left in prison by Felix,

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

So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and went into the audience-room attended by officers 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, you see here the man about whom the whole Jewish people have applied to me both at Jerusalem and here, clamoring that he ought not to live any longer.

As he said this in his defense, Festus called out, "You are raving, Paul! Your great learning is driving you mad!"

"I am not raving, your Excellency Festus," said Paul, "I am telling the sober truth.

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