Acts 25:8-19

English Standard Version

⁸ Paul argued in his defense, “Neither ^(A)against ^(B)the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor ^(C)against Caesar have I committed any offense.” ⁹ But Festus, ^(D)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 ^(E)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. ^(F)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, ^(G)“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 ^(H)against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. ^16 (I)I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone ^(J)before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. ^17 (K)So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on ^(L)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 ^(M)had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about ^(N)a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.