7
When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,
8
while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."
9
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?"
10
But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.
11
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that these accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"
12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go."
13
Now when some days had passed, Agrippa, the King, and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
14
As they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
15
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
16
To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused have met the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
17
When therefore they were come together here, I didn't delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.