7
After Paul arrived, the Jews who had comedown from Jerusalemstoodaround him, bringing1many and seriouschargesagainst him 2which they could not prove,
8
while Paulsaid in his own defense, "3I have committednooffenseeitheragainst the Law of the Jewsoragainst the templeoragainstCaesar."
9
But Festus, 4wishing to do the Jews a favor, answeredPaul and said, "5Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and standtrialbefore me on these charges?"
10
But Paulsaid, "I amstandingbeforeCaesar's6tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have donenowrong to the Jews, as you alsoverywellknow.
11
"If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committedanythingworthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but ifnone of those things is true of whichthesemenaccuse me, noonecanhand me over to them. I 7appeal to Caesar."
12
Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go."
13
Now when severaldays had elapsed, KingAgrippa and Bernicearrived at 8Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus.
14
While they were spendingmanydaysthere, FestuslaidPaul'scase* before the king, saying, "There is a man who was 9left as a prisoner by Felix;
15
and when I was at Jerusalem, the chiefpriests and the elders of the Jews10broughtchargesagainst him, asking for a sentence of condemnationagainst him.
16
"I 11answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over anymanbefore12the accusedmeets his accusersface to face and has an opportunity to make his defenseagainst the charges.
17
"So after they had assembledhere, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on 13the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought before me.