1
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Yerushalayim from Caesarea.
2
Then the Kohen Gadol and the principal men of the Yehudim informed him against Sha'ul, and they begged him,
3
asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Yerushalayim; plotting to kill him on the way.
4
However Festus answered that Sha'ul was kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
5
"Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him."
6
When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Sha'ul to be brought.
7
When he had come, the Yehudim who had come down from Yerushalayim stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,
8
while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Yehudim, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."
9
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Yehudim, answered Sha'ul and said, "Will you go up to Yerushalayim, and there be judged of these things before me?"
10
But Sha'ul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Yehudim, as you also know very well.
11
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that these accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"
12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go."