New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
8 Paul said in his defense, "I have in no way committed an offense against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against the emperor."
8
Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?"
9
Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
10 Paul said, "I am appealing to the emperor's tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know.
10
Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
11 Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the emperor."
11
If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
12 Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, "You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go."
12
After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
13 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus.
13
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
14 Since they were staying there several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man here who was left in prison by Felix.
14
Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.
15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him and asked for a sentence against him.
15
When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.
16 I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the charge.
16
“I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.
17 So when they met here, I lost no time, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
17
When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they did not charge him with any of the crimes that I was expecting.
18
When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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