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保羅上訴凱撒

25 非斯都到任三天之後,就從該撒利亞去耶路撒冷。 祭司長和猶太人的首領,到他面前控告保羅。他們又要求非斯都, 求他恩准對付保羅,把保羅解來耶路撒冷,他們好埋伏在路上殺死他。 非斯都回答:“保羅現今押在該撒利亞,我就要回到那裡去。” 又說:“你們中間有權勢的,和我一同去吧!那人若有甚麼不是,他們就可以告他。”

非斯都在他們那裡大約逗留了不過十天八天,就回到該撒利亞去。第二天就開庭,吩咐把保羅帶來。 保羅一到,那些從耶路撒冷來的猶太人,就站在他周圍,提出許多嚴重的控告,可是所控告的他們都不能證實。 保羅申辯說:“無論對猶太人的律法、聖殿或凱撒,我都沒有罪。” 但非斯都為要討好猶太人,就問保羅:“你願意去耶路撒冷,讓我在那裡審問這事嗎?” 10 保羅說:“我現在站在凱撒的審判臺前,這裡是我應當受審的地方。我對猶太人並沒有作過甚麼不對的事,這是你清楚知道的。 11 我若作過不對的事,犯過甚麼該死的罪,就是死我也不推辭。不過,如果這些人告我的事不是真的,誰也不可以把我送給他們。我要向凱撒上訴。” 12 非斯都同議會商量後,答覆說:“你既然要向凱撒上訴,可以到凱撒那裡去。”

亞基帕王要聽保羅的案情

13 過了一些日子,亞基帕王和百尼基到該撒利亞來,問候非斯都。 14 他們在那裡逗留了許多天,非斯都把保羅的案情向王陳明,說:“這裡有一個囚犯,是腓力斯留下來的。 15 我在耶路撒冷的時候,祭司長和猶太人的長老控告他,要求把他定罪。 16 我答覆他們說,被告還沒有和原告當面對證,又沒有機會為所控的罪申辯,就被送給對方,羅馬人沒有這個規例。 17 後來他們都到了這裡,我沒有耽延時間,第二天就開庭,吩咐把那人提出來。 18 原告都站在那裡,他們所控訴他的,並不是我所意料的惡事。 19 他們與他爭辯的,只是他們的宗教問題;還論到一位已經死了的耶穌,保羅卻說他是活著的。 20 關於這些爭論,我不知道怎樣處理,就問他願不願意上耶路撒冷去為這些事在那裡受審。 21 但保羅要求把他留下,等待皇上裁判,我就下令把他押起來,等候解往凱撒那裡。” 22 亞基帕對非斯都說:“我也想聽聽這人說些甚麼。”非斯都說:“明天就請你來聽。”

23 第二天,亞基帕和百尼基威風凜凜地來了,同千夫長和城中的顯要進了廳堂。非斯都吩咐一聲,就有人把保羅提出來。 24 非斯都說:“亞基帕王和在座的各位,請看這個人。耶路撒冷和本地的猶太人都向我請求,嚷著說這個人不該活著。 25 我查明他沒有犯甚麼該死的罪,但是他自己既然要向皇上上訴,我就決定把他解去。 26 關於這個人,我沒有甚麼確實的事可以呈奏主上的。所以把他帶到你們面前,特別是你亞基帕王面前,為要在審查之後,有所陳奏。 27 因為我認為解送囚犯,不指明他的罪狀,是不合理的。”

25 Therefore when Festus came into the province, after the third day he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

And the princes of priests, and the worthiest of the Jews went to him against Paul [And the prince of priests, and the first of Jews went to him against Paul], and prayed him,

and asked grace against him, that he should command him to be led to Jerusalem; and they set ambush to slay him in the way [setting ambush to slay him in the way].

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept in Caesarea; soothly that he himself should proceed more advisedly [soothly that he himself should go forth more ripely, or hastily].

Therefore he said, They that in you be mighty, come down together; and if any crime is in the man, accuse they him [accuse him].

And he dwelled among them no more than eight either ten days, and came down to Caesarea [Soothly he dwelling among them no more than eight or ten days, came down to Caesarea]; and the tother day he sat for doomsman, and commanded Paul to be brought.

And when he was brought forth, Jews stood about him, which came down from Jerusalem, putting against him many and grievous causes, which they might not prove.

For Paul yielded reason in all things, That neither against the law of Jews, neither against the temple, neither against the emperor [neither against Caesar], I sinned any thing.

But Festus would do grace to the Jews, and answered to Paul, and said [Forsooth Festus willing to give grace to the Jews, answering to Paul, said], Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be deemed of these things before me?

10 And Paul said, At the doom place of the emperor I stand [At the doom place of Caesar I stand], where it behooveth me to be deemed. I have not harmed the Jews, as thou knowest well.

11 For if I have harmed, either done any thing worthy death, I forsake not to die; but if nothing of those is, that they accuse me, no man may give me to them. I appeal to the emperor.[a]

12 Then Festus spake with the council, and answered, To the emperor thou hast appealed, to the emperor thou shalt go [To Caesar thou hast appealed, to Caesar thou shalt go].

13 And when some days were passed, Agrippa king, and Bernice came down to Caesarea, to welcome Festus [to greet well Festus].

14 And when they dwelled there many days, Festus showed to the king of Paul, and said, A man is left bound of Felix [saying, Some man is left bound of Felix],

15 of which, when I was at Jerusalem, princes of priests and the elder men of the Jews came to me, and asked damnation against him [asking damnation against him].

16 To whom I answered, That it is not custom to Romans, to damn any man, before that he that is accused have his accusers present, and take place of defending, to put away the crimes, that be put against him.[b]

17 Therefore when they came together hither, without any delay, in the day following I sat for doomsman, and commanded the man to be brought.

18 And when his accusers stood [Of whom when the accusers stood nigh], they said no cause, of which things I had suspicion of evil.

19 But they had against him some questions of their vain worshipping [of their vain worshipping, or religion], and of one Jesus dead, whom Paul affirmed to live.

20 And I doubted of such manner questions, and said, Whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be deemed of these things?

21 But for Paul appealed, that he should be kept to the knowing of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept, till I send him to the emperor [till I shall send him to Caesar].

22 And Agrippa said to Festus, I myself would hear the man. And he said, To morrow thou shalt hear him. [Soothly Agrippa said to Festus, And I myself would hear the man. To morrow, he said, thou shalt hear him.]

23 And on the tother day, when Agrippa and Bernice came with great desire [when Agrippa and Bernice came with much ambition, or pride of state], and entered into the auditorium, with tribunes and the principal men of the city, when Festus bade, Paul was brought.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men that be with us, ye see this man, of which all the multitude of Jews prayed me at Jerusalem, and asked, and cried, that he should live no longer[c].

25 But I found, that he had done nothing worthy of death; and I deemed to send him to the emperor, for he appealed this thing [soothly him appealing this thing to the emperor, I deemed to send].

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it is seen to me without reason, to send a bound man, and not to signify the cause of him.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:11 For if I have harmed, or done any thing worthy death, I forsake not to die; soothly if nothing of these is, that they accuse me, no man may give me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
  2. Acts 25:16 To whom I answered, It is not custom to Romans, to damn any man, before that he that is accused have his accusers present, and take place of defending, to wash away crimes, or great trespasses, that be put against him.
  3. Acts 25:24 asking and crying, that it behooveth not that he live more

Paul Asks To Be Tried by the Roman Emperor

25 Three days after Festus had become governor, he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem. There the chief priests and some Jewish leaders told him about their charges against Paul. They also asked Festus if he would be willing to bring Paul to Jerusalem. They begged him to do this because they were planning to attack and kill Paul on the way. But Festus told them, “Paul will be kept in Caesarea, and I am soon going there myself. If he has done anything wrong, let your leaders go with me and bring charges against him there.”

Festus stayed in Jerusalem for eight or ten more days before going to Caesarea. Then the next day he took his place as judge and had Paul brought into court. As soon as Paul came in, the leaders from Jerusalem crowded around him and said he was guilty of many serious crimes. But they could not prove anything. Then Paul spoke in his own defense, “I have not broken the Law of my people. And I have not done anything against either the temple or the Emperor.”

Festus wanted to please the leaders. So he asked Paul, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried by me on these charges?”

10 Paul replied, “I am on trial in the Emperor's court, and that's where I should be tried. You know very well I have not done anything to harm the Jewish nation. 11 If I had done something deserving death, I would not ask to escape the death penalty. But I am not guilty of any of these crimes, and no one has the right to hand me over to these people. I now ask to be tried by the Emperor himself.”

12 After Festus had talked this over with members of his council, he told Paul, “You have asked to be tried by the Emperor, and to the Emperor you will go!”

Paul Speaks to Agrippa and Bernice

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus. 14 They had been there for several days, when Festus told the king about the charges against Paul. He said:

Felix left a man here in jail, 15 and when I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the Jewish leaders came and asked me to find him guilty. 16 I told them it isn't the Roman custom to hand a man over to people who are bringing charges against him. He must first have the chance to meet them face to face and to defend himself against their charges.

17 So when they came here with me, I wasted no time. On the very next day I took my place on the judge's bench and ordered him to be brought in. 18 But when the men stood up to make their charges against him, they did not accuse him of any of the crimes that I thought they would. 19 Instead, they argued with him about some of their beliefs and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul said was alive.

20 Since I did not know how to find out the truth about all this, I asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and be put on trial there. 21 But Paul asked to be kept in jail until the Emperor could decide his case. So I ordered him to be kept here until I could send him to the Emperor.

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would also like to hear what this man has to say.”

Festus answered, “You can hear him tomorrow.”

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice made a big show as they came into the meeting room. High ranking army officers and leading citizens of the town were also there. Festus then ordered Paul to be brought in 24 and said:

King Agrippa and other guests, look at this man! Every Jew from Jerusalem and Caesarea has come to me, demanding for him to be put to death. 25 I have not found him guilty of any crime deserving death. But because he has asked to be judged by the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.

26 I have to write some facts about this man to the Emperor. So I have brought him before all of you, but especially before you, King Agrippa. After we have talked about his case, I will then have something to write. 27 It makes no sense to send a prisoner to the Emperor without stating the charges against him.

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(A) went up from Caesarea(B) to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(C) They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(D) Festus answered, “Paul is being held(E) at Caesarea,(F) and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(G) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(H) When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(I) but they could not prove them.(J)

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(K) or against Caesar.”

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(L) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(M)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(N) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(O)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(P) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(Q) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(R) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(S) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(T) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(U) with him about their own religion(V) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(W) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(X)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(Y)

Paul Before Agrippa(Z)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(AA) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(AB) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(AC) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(AD) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(AE) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”