3
and requested, as a favor to them against Paul, to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way.
4
Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.
5
"So," he said, "let those of you who have the authority come down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him."
6
After he had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
7
When he arrived, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove.
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.