But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

Festus then, having arrived in the province, three days later went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly.

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?”

Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

Now when several days had elapsed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus.

While they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix;

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he *said, “you shall hear him.”

So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer.

While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.”

But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.

And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”