10. Paul answered, “I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar; this is where I should be tried. I have committed no crime against the Jews, as you very well know.
11. If I have committed a crime or done anything deserving death, I do not seek to escape the death penalty; but if there is no substance to the charges they are bringing against me, then no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12. Then Festus, after conferring with his council, replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go.”
13. When a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus.
14. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
15. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
16. I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
17. So when (they) came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in.
18. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
19. Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive.
20. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges.
21. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”