Chapter 24, verse 19 - Chapter 25, verse 21
19
They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
20
Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
21
unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”
22
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”
23
He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
24
But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
25
As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
26
Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
27
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Chapter 25
1
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2
Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,
3
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem
4
However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
5
“Let them therefore,” said he, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
6
When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
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, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?”
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
12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
13
Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
14
As he 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 has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
17
When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed
19
but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20
Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21
But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.”
