Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days, he went up to Jerusalem from Cesarea.
1
Three days after Festus took over his duties in the province of Judea, he went from the city of Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 And the chief priests and principal men of the Jews went unto him against Paul: and they besought him,
2
The chief priests and the other important Jewish leaders informed Festus about their charges against Paul. They were urging
3 Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way.
3
Festus to do them the favor of having Paul brought to Jerusalem. The Jews had a plan to ambush and kill Paul as he traveled to Jerusalem.
4 But Festus answered: That Paul was kept in Caesarea: and that he himself would very shortly depart thither.
4
Festus replied that he would be returning to Caesarea soon and would keep Paul there.
5 Let them, therefore, saith he, among you that are able, go down with me and accuse him, if there be any crime in the man.
5
He told them, "Have your authorities come to Caesarea with me and accuse him there if the man has done something wrong."
6 And having tarried among them no more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, he sat in the judgment seat and commanded Paul to be brought.
6
Festus stayed in Jerusalem for eight or ten days at the most and then returned to Caesarea. The next day Festus took his place in court and summoned Paul.
7 Who being brought, the Jews stood about him, who were come down from Jerusalem, objecting many and grievous causes, which they could not prove:
7
When Paul entered the room, the Jews who had come from Jerusalem surrounded him. They made a lot of serious accusations that they couldn't prove.
8 Paul making answer for himself: Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any thing.
8
Paul defended himself by saying, "I haven't broken any Jewish law or done anything against the temple or the emperor."
9 But Festus, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, answering Paul, said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me?
9
But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there on these charges with me as your judge?"
10 Then Paul said: I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no injury, as thou very well knowest.
10
Paul said, "I am standing in the emperor's court where I must be tried. I haven't done anything wrong to the Jews, as you know very well.
11 For if I have injured them or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
11
If I am guilty and have done something wrong for which I deserve the death penalty, I don't reject the idea of dying. But if their accusations are untrue, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal my case to the emperor!"
12 Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered: Hast thou appealed to Caesar? To Caesar shalt thou go.
12
Festus discussed the appeal with his advisers and then replied to Paul, "You have appealed your case to the emperor, so you'll go to the emperor!"
13 And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea, to salute Festus.
13
Later King Agrippa and Bernice came to the city of Caesarea to welcome Festus.
14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus told the king of Paul, saying: A certain man was left prisoner by Felix.
14
Since they were staying there for a number of days, Festus told the king about Paul's case. Festus said, "Felix left a man here in prison.
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the ancients of the Jews came unto me, desiring condemnation against him.
15
When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the Jewish leaders brought me some information about him and asked me to condemn him.
16 To whom I answered: it is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present and have liberty to make his answer, to clear himself of the things laid to his charge.
16
"I replied to them, 'That's not the Roman way of doing things. A person can't be sentenced as a favor. Before he is sentenced, he must face his accusers and have a chance to defend himself against their accusation.'
17 When therefore they were come hither, without any delay, on the day following, sitting in the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be brought.
17
"So the Jewish leaders came to Caesarea with me. The next day I immediately convened court and summoned the man.
18 Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of this which I thought ill of:
18
When his accusers stood up, they didn't accuse him of the crimes I was expecting.
19 But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
19
They were disputing with him about their own religion and about some man named Jesus who had died. But Paul claimed that Jesus is alive.
20 I therefore being in a doubt of this manner of question, asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things.
20
Their debate about these things left me puzzled. So I asked Paul if he would like to go to Jerusalem to have his case heard there.
21 But Paul, appealing to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar.
21
But Paul appealed his case. He asked to be held in prison and to have His Majesty the Emperor decide his case. So I ordered him to be held in prison until I could send him to the emperor."
22 And Agrippa said to Festus: I would also hear the man, myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
22
Agrippa told Festus, "I would like to hear the man." Festus replied, "You'll hear him tomorrow."
23 And on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice were come with great pomp and had entered into the hall of audience with the tribunes and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment, Paul was brought forth.
23
The next day Agrippa and Bernice entered the auditorium with a lot of fanfare. Roman army officers and the most important men of the city entered the auditorium with them. Festus gave the order, and Paul was brought into the auditorium.
24 And Festus saith: King Agrippa and all ye men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews dealt with me at Jerusalem, requesting and crying out that he ought not to live any longer.
24
Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and everyone who is present with us! All the Jews in Jerusalem and Caesarea have talked to me about this man you see in front of you. They shout that he must not be allowed to live any longer.
25 Yet have I found nothing that he hath committed worthy of death. But forasmuch as he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
25
However, I don't think that he has done anything to deserve the death penalty. But since he made an appeal to His Majesty the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
26 Of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. For which cause, I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, examination being made, I may have what to write.
26
But I don't have anything reliable to write our emperor about him. So I have brought him to all of you, and especially to you, King Agrippa. Then I'll have something to write after he is cross-examined.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to signify the things laid to his charge.
27
I find it ridiculous to send a prisoner to Rome when I can't specify any charges against him."
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