Paul Appeals to Caesar
NOW when Festus had come into the province; after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the prominent Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired a favour against him: so that he would send for him to Jerusalem; resulting in an ambush along the way, to kill him.
4 But Festus answered: that Paul should be kept in Caesarea, and that he himself would depart to there shortly,
5 Saying: “Therefore, let those among you that are able, go down with me, and bring charges against this man, if there be any wickedness in him.”
6 ¶ And when he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat, commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he had come: the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood around about, and laid many and grievous charges against Paul, which they could not prove;
8 Because he defended himself: “Neither against the law of the Jews; nor against the temple; nor against Caesar; have I sinned at all.”
9 But Festus, wanting to bestow upon the Jews a favour; answered Paul, and said: “Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”
10 Then Paul said: “I stand before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I must be judged: to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.
11 For if I be unjust, or have committed anything worthy of death: I refuse not to die; but if there be none of these things, whereof these accuse me: no one may hand me over to them: I appeal to Caesar!”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered: “You have appealed to Caesar! To Caesar you shall go!”
Paul Before Agrippa
13 ¶ And after a certain number of days king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus explained about Paul to the king, saying: “There is a certain man left in prison by Felix;
15 About whom, when I was in Jerusalem: the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges before me, requesting judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered: “It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction; before he that is accused, is before his accusers face to face, and has the chance to defend himself, concerning the crime laid against him.”
17 ¶ “Therefore, when they had come here; the next day without any delay: I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom, when his accusers stood up: they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed;
19 But had certain disputes against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who is dead: whom Paul declared to be alive.
20 And because I was at a loss concerning such matters: I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved to the judgement of the Emperor: I commanded him to be kept, until I might send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus: “I want to also hear the man myself.” Tomorrow, he said: “you shall hear him.”
23 ¶ Then, the next day when Agrippa and Bernice had come, with great pomp; and was entered into the auditorium, together with the tribunes, and prominent men of the city: at Festus’ command Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us. You see this man, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews have appealed to me, both in Jerusalem, and also here: crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and now that, he himself has appealed to the emperor, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no thing of certainty to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you; and especially before you king Agrippa, that, after the hearing: I might have something to write.
27 For it seems unreasonable to me, to send a prisoner without report of the charges laid out against him.”