Appeal to Caesar

25 Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.(A) The chief priests and the leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul to him; and they appealed,(B) asking for a favor against Paul, that Festus summon him to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, preparing an ambush along the road to kill him. Festus, however, answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly.(C) “Therefore,” he said, “let those of you who have authority go down with me and accuse him, if he has done anything wrong.”

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Paul Appears before Festus

25 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

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