²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,^(A) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,^(B) he left Paul in prison.^(C)

⁹ Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,^(A) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”^(B)

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.^(A)

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus^(A) went up from Caesarea^(B) to Jerusalem,

³ When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,^(A) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.^(B)

³² Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free^(A) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”^(B)

¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged,^(A) and handed him over to be crucified.

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?^(A) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.

²⁴ At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,^(A) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning^(B) is driving you insane.”

²⁵ “I am not insane, most excellent^(C) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.