1
Festus, having entered on his duties as governor of the province, two days later went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2
The High Priests and the leading men among the Jews immediately made representations to him against Paul, and begged him--
3
asking it as a favour, to Paul's prejudice--to have him brought to Jerusalem. They were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
4
Festus, however, replied that Paul was in custody in Caesarea, and that he was himself going there very soon.
5
"Therefore let those of you," he said, "who can come, go down with me, and impeach the man, if there is anything amiss in him."
6
After a stay of eight or ten days in Jerusalem--not more--he went down to Caesarea; and the next day, taking his seat on the tribunal, he ordered Paul to be brought in.
7
Upon Paul's arrival, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round him, and brought many grave charges against him which they were unable to substantiate.
8
But, in reply, Paul said, "Neither against the Jewish Law, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed any offence whatever."
9
Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?"