¶ When Festus was come into the province, after three days, he ascended from Cesarea unto Ierusalem. Then enformed him the high priests, and the chief of the jews against Paul. And they entreated him, and desired favour against him that he would send for him to Ierusalem, and laid wait for him in the way to kill him. Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Cesarea: but that he himself would shortly depart thither. Let them therefore (said he) which among you are able to do it come down with us and accuse him, if there be any fault in the man.
¶ When he had tarried there more then ten days he departed unto Cesarea, and the next day sat down in the judgement seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. When he was come the jewes which were come from Ierusalem, came about him and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove as long as he answered for himself, that he had neither against the law of the jewes, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar offended any thing at all.
¶ Festus willing to do the jewes a pleasure, answered Paul, and said: Wilt thou go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul: I stand at Cesar's judgement seat, where I ought to be judged. To the jewes have I no harm done, as thou verily well knowest. If I have hurt them, or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. If none of these things are, where of they accuse me, no man ought to deliver me to them. I appeal unto Cesar. Then spake Festus with deliberation, and answered: Thou hast appealed unto Cesar: unto Cesar shalt thou go.
¶ After a certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there a good season, Festus rehearsed Paul's cause unto the king saying: There is a certain man left in prison of Felix about whom when I came to Ierusalem the high priests, and seniors of the jewes enformed me, and desired to have judgement against him. To whom I answered: It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man that he should perish, before that he which is accused, have the accusers before him, and have license to answer for himself, as pertaining to the crime whereof he is accused: when they were come hither, without delay on the morrow I sat to give judgement, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Iesus which was dead. whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Because I doubted of the questions, I asked him whither he would go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of these matters. Then when Paul had appealed to be kept unto the knowledge of Cesar. I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.
¶ Agrippa said unto Festus: I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow (said he) thou shalt hear him. On the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, and were entered into the council house with the captains and chief men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth, and Festus said: King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us: Ye see this man about whom all the multitude of jewes have been with me, both at Ierusalem and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. Yet found I nothing worthy of death that he had committed. Nevertheless seeing that he hath appealed to Cesar, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him unto you, and specially unto thee, king Agrippa, that after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For me thinketh it unreasonable for to send a prisoner, and not to shew the causes, which are laid against him.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526