Acts 25 : 1 (NCV)
Three days after Festus became governor, he went from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Acts 25 : 2 (NCV)
There the leading priests and the important Jewish leaders made charges against Paul before Festus.
Acts 25 : 3 (NCV)
They asked Festus to do them a favor. They wanted him to send Paul back to Jerusalem, because they had a plan to kill him on the way.
Acts 25 : 4 (NCV)
But Festus answered that Paul would be kept in Caesarea and that he himself was returning there soon.
Acts 25 : 5 (NCV)
He said, "Some of your leaders should go with me. They can accuse the man there in Caesarea, if he has really done something wrong."
Acts 25 : 6 (NCV)
Festus stayed in Jerusalem another eight or ten days and then went back to Caesarea. The next day he told the soldiers to bring Paul before him. Festus was seated on the judge's seat
Acts 25 : 7 (NCV)
when Paul came into the room. The Jewish people who had come from Jerusalem stood around him, making serious charges against him, which they could not prove.
Acts 25 : 8 (NCV)
This is what Paul said to defend himself: "I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, against the Temple, or against Caesar."
Acts 25 : 9 (NCV)
But Festus wanted to please the Jews. So he asked Paul, "Do you want to go to Jerusalem for me to judge you there on these charges?"
Acts 25 : 10 (NCV)
Paul said, "I am standing at Caesar's judgment seat now, where I should be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews; you know this is true.
Acts 25 : 11 (NCV)
If I have done something wrong and the law says I must die, I do not ask to be saved from death. But if these charges are not true, then no one can give me to them. I want Caesar to hear my case!"
Acts 25 : 12 (NCV)
Festus talked about this with his advisers. Then he said, "You have asked to see Caesar, so you will go to Caesar!"
Acts 25 : 13 (NCV)
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus.
Acts 25 : 14 (NCV)
They stayed there for some time, and Festus told the king about Paul's case. Festus said, "There is a man that Felix left in prison.
Acts 25 : 15 (NCV)
When I went to Jerusalem, the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders there made charges against him, asking me to sentence him to death.
Acts 25 : 16 (NCV)
But I answered, 'When a man is accused of a crime, Romans do not hand him over until he has been allowed to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.'
Acts 25 : 17 (NCV)
So when these Jews came here to Caesarea for the trial, I did not waste time. The next day I sat on the judge's seat and commanded that the man be brought in.
Acts 25 : 18 (NCV)
The Jews stood up and accused him, but not of any serious crime as I thought they would.
Acts 25 : 19 (NCV)
The things they said were about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who died. But Paul said that he is still alive.
Acts 25 : 20 (NCV)
Not knowing how to find out about these questions, I asked Paul, 'Do you want to go to Jerusalem and be judged there?'
Acts 25 : 21 (NCV)
But he asked to be kept in Caesarea. He wants a decision from the emperor. So I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar."
Acts 25 : 22 (NCV)
Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear this man myself." Festus said, "Tomorrow you will hear him."
Acts 25 : 23 (NCV)
The next day Agrippa and Bernice appeared with great show, acting like very important people. They went into the judgment room with the army leaders and the important men of Caesarea. Then Festus ordered the soldiers to bring Paul in.
Acts 25 : 24 (NCV)
Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are gathered here with us, you see this man. All the Jewish people, here and in Jerusalem, have complained to me about him, shouting that he should not live any longer.
Acts 25 : 25 (NCV)
When I judged him, I found no reason to order his death. But since he asked to be judged by Caesar, I decided to send him.
Acts 25 : 26 (NCV)
But I have nothing definite to write the emperor about him. So I have brought him before all of you -- especially you, King Agrippa. I hope you can question him and give me something to write.
Acts 25 : 27 (NCV)
I think it is foolish to send a prisoner to Caesar without telling what charges are against him."
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