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."
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?"
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.
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."
12
Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, "You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go."
13
After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome 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.
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.
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.
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.
18
When the accusers stood up, they did not charge him with any of the crimes that I was expecting.