Acts 25 Bible Chapter

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests, and principal men of the Jews, went to him against Paul: and they besought him, Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way. But Festus answered: That Paul was to be kept in Caesarea: and that he himself would very shortly depart. Let them, therefore, saith he, among you that are able, going down with me, and accuse him, if there be any crime in the man. And having remained among them no more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he sat in the judgment-seat: and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was brought, the Jews that were come down from Jerusalem, stood about him, objecting many and grievous accusations, which they could not prove: Paul making answer; That neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any thing. But Festus being willing to gratify the Jews, answered Paul, and said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then Paul said; I stand at Caesar's tribunal where I ought to be judged: To the Jews I have done no injury, as thou very well knowest. For if I have injured them, or have committed any thing that deserveth death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing of these things whereof they accuse me, no man can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus having conferred with the council, answered: Hast thou appealed to Caesar? To Caesar thou shalt go. And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea, to salute Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus told the king of Paul, saying; There is a certain man was left prisoner by Felix, Concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests, and the ancients of the Jews, came to me, desiring judgment against him. To whom I answered: It is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present, and have liberty of making his defence, to clear himself of the things laid to his charge. When, therefore, they came hither, without any delay, on the day following, sitting on the judgment-seat, I commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no cause wherein I suspected evil: But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And I was in doubt of this manner of question, asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of those things. But Paul appealing to be reserved to the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar. Then Agrippa said to Festus: I would also hear the man, myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. And on the next day, when Agrippa, and Bernice were come with great pomp, and had entered into the hall of audience, with the tribunes and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought forth. And Festus saith: King Agrippa, and all ye men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews solicited me at Jerusalem, petitioning and crying out that he ought not to live any longer. Yet have I found nothing that he hath committed worthy of death. But he himself appealing to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that examination being made, I may have something to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable, to send a prisoner, and not to signify the things laid to his charge.