The Book of the Acts of the
Apostles
Acts Chapter 25
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he
ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him
against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to
Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and
that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down
with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went
down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul
to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem
stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which
they could not prove.
8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the
Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any
thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and
said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before
me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought
to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of
death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these
accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered,
Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto
Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's
cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to
deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face
to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid
against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the
morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none
accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition,
and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, 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 unto the hearing of
Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself.
To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with
great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains,
and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here
present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have
dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to
live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death,
and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore
I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa,
that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not
withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
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