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.”

Pablo ante Festo

25 Festo, entonces, tres días después de haber llegado a la provincia(A), subió a Jerusalén desde Cesarea(B). Y los principales sacerdotes y los judíos más influyentes le presentaron acusaciones contra Pablo(C), e insistían con Festo[a], pidiéndole, el favor[b] de que hiciera traer a Pablo a Jerusalén[c], preparando ellos, al mismo tiempo, una emboscada para matarlo(D) en el camino.

Pero Festo respondió(E) que Pablo estaba bajo custodia(F) en Cesarea(G), y que en breve él mismo saldría para allá. Por tanto dijo*: «Que los más influyentes de ustedes vayan allá[d] conmigo, y si hay algo malo en el hombre, que lo acusen».

Pablo apela a César

Después de haberse quedado no más de ocho o diez días entre ellos, descendió a Cesarea(H), y al día siguiente se sentó en el tribunal(I) y ordenó que trajeran a Pablo. Cuando este llegó, lo rodearon los judíos que habían descendido de Jerusalén, presentando contra él muchas y graves acusaciones(J) que no podían probar(K), mientras Pablo decía en defensa propia: «No he cometido ningún delito, ni contra la ley de los judíos, ni contra el templo(L), ni contra César».

Pero Festo, queriendo hacer un favor a los judíos(M), respondió a Pablo, y dijo: «¿Estás dispuesto a subir a Jerusalén y a ser juzgado delante de mí por estas acusaciones(N)?». 10 Entonces Pablo respondió: «Ante el tribunal(O) de César estoy, que es donde debo ser juzgado. Ningún agravio he hecho a los judíos, como también usted muy bien sabe. 11 Si soy, pues, un malhechor y he hecho algo digno de muerte, no rehúso morir. Pero si ninguna de esas cosas de que estos me acusan es verdad, nadie puede entregarme a ellos. Apelo a César(P)». 12 Entonces Festo, habiendo deliberado con el consejo[e], respondió: «A César has apelado, a César irás».

Pablo ante Herodes Agripa II

13 Pasados varios días, el rey Herodes Agripa II y Berenice llegaron a Cesarea(Q) y fueron a saludar a Festo[f]. 14 Como estuvieron allí muchos días, Festo presentó el caso de Pablo ante el rey, diciendo: «Hay un hombre que Félix dejó preso(R), 15 acerca del cual, estando yo en Jerusalén, los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos de los judíos presentaron acusaciones contra él(S), pidiendo sentencia condenatoria contra él. 16 Yo les respondí(T) que no es costumbre de los romanos entregar a un hombre sin que antes el acusado confronte a sus acusadores(U), y tenga la oportunidad de defenderse de los cargos.

17 »Así que cuando[g] se reunieron aquí, sin ninguna demora, al día siguiente me senté en el tribunal(V) y ordené traer al hombre. 18 Levantándose los acusadores, presentaban acusaciones contra él, pero no de la clase de crímenes que yo suponía, 19 sino que simplemente tenían contra él ciertas cuestiones(W) sobre su propia religión[h](X), y sobre cierto Jesús, ya muerto, de quien Pablo afirmaba que estaba vivo.

20 »Pero estando yo perplejo cómo investigar estas cuestiones, le pregunté si estaba dispuesto a ir a Jerusalén y ser juzgado de estas cosas allá(Y). 21 Pero como Pablo apeló(Z) que se le tuviera bajo custodia para que el emperador Nerón diera el fallo, ordené que continuara bajo custodia hasta que yo lo enviara a César». 22 Entonces Agripa II(AA) dijo a Festo: «A mí también me gustaría oír al hombre». «Mañana lo oirás», dijo* Festo.

23 Así que al día siguiente, cuando Agripa II y Berenice(AB) entraron al auditorio en medio de gran pompa, acompañados por[i] los comandantes[j] y los hombres importantes de la ciudad, por orden de Festo, fue traído Pablo. 24 Y Festo dijo*: «Rey Agripa y todos los demás[k] aquí presentes con nosotros; este es el hombre acerca del cual los judíos(AC), tanto en Jerusalén como aquí, me hicieron una petición declarando a gritos que no debe vivir más(AD).

25 »Pero a mí me parece que no ha hecho nada digno de muerte(AE), pero como él mismo apeló al emperador[l], he decidido enviarlo(AF) a Roma. 26 Sin embargo, no tengo nada definido sobre él[m] para escribirle a mi señor. Por eso lo he traído ante ustedes, y especialmente ante ti, rey Agripa, para que después de que se le interrogue[n], yo tenga algo que escribir. 27 Porque me parece absurdo, al enviar un preso, no informar también de los cargos en su contra».

Footnotes

  1. 25:2 Lit. a él.
  2. 25:3 O una concesión.
  3. 25:3 Lit. enviara por él a Jerusalén.
  4. 25:5 Lit. desciendan.
  5. 25:12 Un cuerpo distinto del que se menciona en Hech. 4:15 y 24:20.
  6. 25:13 Lit. saludando a Festo.
  7. 25:17 O después de que.
  8. 25:19 O superstición.
  9. 25:23 Lit. y con.
  10. 25:23 Gr. quiliarcas; i.e. oficiales militares romanos al mando de mil soldados.
  11. 25:24 Lit. varones.
  12. 25:25 Lit. Nerón.
  13. 25:26 Lit. Sobre el cual no tengo nada definido.
  14. 25:26 Lit. se haya hecho el interrogatorio.

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

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

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 seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

Paul Appeals to Caesar

25 Now three days after Festus had arrived in (A)the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews (B)laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul[a] that he summon him to Jerusalem—because (C)they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on (D)the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him (E)that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither (F)against (G)the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor (H)against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, (I)wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's (J)tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. (K)I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, (L)“There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case (M)against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 (N)I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone (O)before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 (P)So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on (Q)the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they (R)had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about (S)a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I (T)asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But (U)when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of (V)the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (W)Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

23 So on the next day (X)Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom (Y)the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, (Z)shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that (AA)he had done nothing deserving death. And (AB)as he himself appealed to (AC)the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:3 Greek him