Acts 25:1–12

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

²And the chief priests and principal men of the Jews went unto him against Paul: and they besought him,

³Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way.

⁴But Festus answered: That Paul was kept in Caesarea: and that he himself would very shortly depart thither.

⁵Let them, therefore, saith he, among you that are able, go down with me and accuse him, if there be any crime in the man.

⁶And 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.

⁷Who being brought, the Jews stood about him, who were come down from Jerusalem, objecting many and grievous causes, which they could not prove:

⁸Paul making answer for himself: Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any thing.

⁹But 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?

¹⁰Then 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.

¹¹For 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.

¹²Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered: Hast thou appealed to Caesar? To Caesar shalt thou go.