Acts 25
J.B. Phillips New Testament
Felix’s successor begins his duties with vigour—
25 1-4 Three days after Festus had taken over his province he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. The chief priests and elders of the Jews informed him of the case against Paul and begged him as a special favour to have Paul sent to Jerusalem. They themselves had already made a plot to kill him on the way. But Festus replied that Paul was in custody in Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.
5 “What you must do,” he told them, “is to provide some competent men of your own to go down with me and if there is anything wrong with the man they can present their charges against him.”
6-8 Festus spent not more than eight or ten days among them at Jerusalem and then went down to Caesarea. On the day after his arrival he took his seat on the bench and ordered Paul to be brought in. As soon as he arrived the Jews from Jerusalem stood up on all sides of him, bringing forward many serious accusations which they were quite unable to substantiate. Paul, in his defence, maintained, “I have committed no offence in any way against the Jewish Law, or against the Temple or against Caesar.”
—but is afraid of antagonising the Jews
9 But Festus, wishing to gain the goodwill of the Jews, spoke direct to Paul, “Are you prepared to go up to Jerusalem and stand your trial over these matters in my presence there?”
10-11 But Paul replied, “I am standing in Caesar’s court and that is where I should be judged. I have done the Jews no harm, as you very well know. It comes to this: if I were a criminal and had committed some crime which deserved the death penalty, I should not try to evade sentence of death. But as in fact there is no truth in the accusations these men have made, I am not prepared to be used as a means of gaining their favour—I appeal to Caesar!”.
12 Then Festus, after a conference with his advisers, replied to Paul, “You have appealed to Caesar—then to Caesar you shall go!”
Festus outlines Paul’s case to Agrippa
13-14 Some days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea on a state visit to Festus. They prolonged their stay for some days and this gave Festus an opportunity of laying Paul’s case before the king.
15-21 “I have a man,” he said, “who was left a prisoner by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and Jewish elders made allegations against him and demanded his conviction! I told them that the Romans were not in the habit of giving anybody up to please anyone, until the accused had had the chance of facing his accusers personally and been given the opportunity of defending himself on the charges made against him. Since these Jews came back here with me, I wasted no time but on the very next day I took my seat on the bench and ordered the man to be brought in. But when his accusers got up to speak they did not charge him with any such crimes as I had anticipated. Their differences with him were about their own religion and concerning a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul claimed to be still alive. I did not feel qualified to investigate such matters and so I asked the man if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and stand his trial over these matters there. But when he appealed to have his case reserved for the decision of the emperor himself, I ordered him to be kept in custody until such time as I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I have been wanting to hear this man myself” “Then you shall hear him tomorrow,” replied Festus.
Festus formally explains Paul’s case to Agrippa
23-27 When the next day came, Agrippa and Bernice proceeded to the audience chamber with great pomp and ceremony, with an escort of military officers and prominent townsmen. Festus ordered Paul to be brought in and then he spoke: “King Agrippa and all who are present, you see here the man about whom the whole Jewish people both at Jerusalem and in this city have petitioned me. They din it into my ears that he ought not to live any longer, but I for my part discovered nothing that he has done which deserves the death penalty. And since he has appealed to Caesar, I have decided to send him to Rome. Frankly, I have nothing specific to write to the emperor about him, and I have therefore brought him forward before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that from your examination of him there may emerge some charge which I may put in writing. For it seems ridiculous to me to send a prisoner before the emperor without indicating the charges against him.”
Acts 25
King James Version
25 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
Atti 25
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
Paolo si appella a Cesare
25 Festo dunque, raggiunta la provincia, tre giorni dopo salì da Cesarèa a Gerusalemme. 2 I sommi sacerdoti e i capi dei Giudei gli si presentarono per accusare Paolo e cercavano di persuaderlo, 3 chiedendo come un favore, in odio a Paolo, che lo facesse venire a Gerusalemme; e intanto disponevano un tranello per ucciderlo lungo il percorso. 4 Festo rispose che Paolo stava sotto custodia a Cesarèa e che egli stesso sarebbe partito fra breve. 5 «Quelli dunque che hanno autorità tra voi, disse, vengano con me e se vi è qualche colpa in quell'uomo, lo denuncino».
6 Dopo essersi trattenuto fra loro non più di otto o dieci giorni, discese a Cesarèa e il giorno seguente, sedendo in tribunale, ordinò che gli si conducesse Paolo. 7 Appena giunse, lo attorniarono i Giudei discesi da Gerusalemme, imputandogli numerose e gravi colpe, senza però riuscire a provarle. 8 Paolo a sua difesa disse: «Non ho commesso alcuna colpa, né contro la legge dei Giudei, né contro il tempio, né contro Cesare». 9 Ma Festo volendo fare un favore ai Giudei, si volse a Paolo e disse: «Vuoi andare a Gerusalemme per essere là giudicato di queste cose, davanti a me?». 10 Paolo rispose: «Mi trovo davanti al tribunale di Cesare, qui mi si deve giudicare. Ai Giudei non ho fatto alcun torto, come anche tu sai perfettamente. 11 Se dunque sono in colpa e ho commesso qualche cosa che meriti la morte, non rifiuto di morire; ma se nelle accuse di costoro non c'è nulla di vero, nessuno ha il potere di consegnarmi a loro. Io mi appello a Cesare». 12 Allora Festo, dopo aver conferito con il consiglio, rispose: «Ti sei appellato a Cesare, a Cesare andrai».
Paolo compare davanti al re Agrippa
13 Erano trascorsi alcuni giorni, quando arrivarono a Cesarèa il re Agrippa e Berenìce, per salutare Festo. 14 E poiché si trattennero parecchi giorni, Festo espose al re il caso di Paolo: «C'è un uomo, lasciato qui prigioniero da Felice, contro il quale, 15 durante la mia visita a Gerusalemme, si presentarono con accuse i sommi sacerdoti e gli anziani dei Giudei per reclamarne la condanna. 16 Risposi che i Romani non usano consegnare una persona, prima che l'accusato sia stato messo a confronto con i suoi accusatori e possa aver modo di difendersi dall'accusa. 17 Allora essi convennero qui e io senza indugi il giorno seguente sedetti in tribunale e ordinai che vi fosse condotto quell'uomo. 18 Gli accusatori gli si misero attorno, ma non addussero nessuna delle imputazioni criminose che io immaginavo; 19 avevano solo con lui alcune questioni relative la loro particolare religione e riguardanti un certo Gesù, morto, che Paolo sosteneva essere ancora in vita. 20 Perplesso di fronte a simili controversie, gli chiesi se voleva andare a Gerusalemme ed esser giudicato là di queste cose. 21 Ma Paolo si appellò perché la sua causa fosse riservata al giudizio dell'imperatore, e così ordinai che fosse tenuto sotto custodia fino a quando potrò inviarlo a Cesare». 22 E Agrippa a Festo: «Vorrei anch'io ascoltare quell'uomo!». «Domani, rispose, lo potrai ascoltare».
23 Il giorno dopo, Agrippa e Berenìce vennero con gran pompa ed entrarono nella sala dell'udienza, accompagnati dai tribuni e dai cittadini più in vista; per ordine di Festo fu fatto entrare anche Paolo. 24 Allora Festo disse: «Re Agrippa e cittadini tutti qui presenti con noi, voi avete davanti agli occhi colui sul conto del quale tutto il popolo dei Giudei si è appellato a me, in Gerusalemme e qui, per chiedere a gran voce che non resti più in vita. 25 Io però mi sono convinto che egli non ha commesso alcuna cosa meritevole di morte ed essendosi appellato all'imperatore ho deciso di farlo partire. 26 Ma sul suo conto non ho nulla di preciso da scrivere al sovrano; per questo l'ho condotto davanti a voi e soprattutto davanti a te, o re Agrippa, per avere, dopo questa udienza, qualcosa da scrivere. 27 Mi sembra assurdo infatti mandare un prigioniero, senza indicare le accuse che si muovono contro di lui».
Hechos 25
La Biblia de las Américas
Pablo ante Festo
25 Festo, entonces, tres días después de haber llegado a la provincia(A), subió a Jerusalén desde Cesarea(B). 2 Y los principales sacerdotes y los judíos más influyentes le presentaron acusaciones contra Pablo(C), e instaban a Festo[a], 3 pidiéndole, contra Pablo[b], el favor[c] de que lo hiciera traer a Jerusalén[d] (preparando ellos, al mismo tiempo, una emboscada para matarlo(D) en el camino). 4 Pero Festo respondió(E) que Pablo estaba bajo custodia(F) en Cesarea(G), y que en breve él mismo partiría para allá. 5 Por tanto, dijo*, que los más influyentes de vosotros vayan allá[e] conmigo, y si hay algo malo en el hombre, que lo acusen.
Pablo apela al César
6 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. 7 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), 8 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 el César. 9 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) del César estoy, que es donde debo ser juzgado. Ningún agravio he hecho a los judíos, como también tú muy bien sabes. 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 al César(P). 12 Entonces Festo, habiendo deliberado con el consejo[f], respondió: Al César has apelado, al César irás.
Pablo ante Agripa
13 Pasados varios días, el rey Agripa y Berenice llegaron a Cesarea(Q) y fueron a saludar a Festo[g]. 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[h] se reunieron aquí, sin ninguna demora, al día siguiente me senté en el tribunal(V) y ordené traer al hombre. 18 Y 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[i](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 lo tuviera bajo custodia para que el emperador[j] diera el fallo, ordené que continuase bajo custodia hasta que yo lo enviara al César. 22 Entonces Agripa(AA) dijo a Festo: A mí también me gustaría oír al hombre. Mañana —dijo* Festo— lo oirás.
23 Así que al día siguiente, cuando Agripa y Berenice(AB) entraron al auditorio en medio de gran pompa, acompañados por[k] los comandantes[l] y los hombres importantes de la ciudad, por orden de Festo, fue traído Pablo. 24 Y Festo dijo*: Rey Agripa y todos los demás[m] aquí presentes con nosotros; aquí veis a este hombre acerca de quien toda la multitud de los judíos(AC), tanto en Jerusalén como aquí, me hizo una petición declarando a gritos que no debe vivir más(AD). 25 Pero yo encontré que no había hecho nada digno de muerte(AE); y como él mismo apeló al emperador[n], he decidido enviarlo(AF). 26 Pero no tengo nada definido sobre él[o] para escribirle a mi señor. Por eso lo he traído ante vosotros, y especialmente ante ti, rey Agripa, para que después de que se le interrogue[p], yo tenga algo que escribir. 27 Porque me parece absurdo, al enviar un preso, no informar también de los cargos en su contra.
Footnotes
- Hechos 25:2 Lit., a él
- Hechos 25:3 Lit., él
- Hechos 25:3 O, una concesión
- Hechos 25:3 Lit., enviara por él a Jerusalén
- Hechos 25:5 Lit., desciendan
- Hechos 25:12 Un cuerpo distinto del que se menciona en Hech. 4:15 y 24:20
- Hechos 25:13 Lit., saludando a Festo
- Hechos 25:17 O, después de que
- Hechos 25:19 O, superstición
- Hechos 25:21 Lit., el Augusto (en este caso, Nerón)
- Hechos 25:23 Lit., y con
- Hechos 25:23 Gr., quiliarcas; i.e., oficiales militares romanos al mando de mil soldados
- Hechos 25:24 Lit., varones
- Hechos 25:25 Lit., al Augusto (en este caso, Nerón)
- Hechos 25:26 Lit., Sobre el cual no tengo nada definido
- Hechos 25:26 Lit., se haya hecho el interrogatorio
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
