1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the prince of the priests and the principals of the Jews informed him against Paul and besought him, 3 asking for grace against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, they placing an ambush in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea and that he himself would depart shortly there. 5 Let them, therefore, said he, who among you are able, go down with me and accuse this man, if there is anything in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them no 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 who 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 sinned in anything at all. 9 But Festus, willing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, 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 I have done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I am an offender or have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if there are none of these things of which these accuse me, no one 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.