Acts Chapter 25 (Index)

001  Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

002  Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

003  And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

004  But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

005  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.

006  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.

007  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.

008  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.

009  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?

010  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.

011  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.

012  Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

013  And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

014  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:

015  About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

016  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.

017  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.

018  Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

019  But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

020  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.

021  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.

022  Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

023  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.

024  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.

025  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.

026  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.

027  For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.