7. When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they were not able to prove.
8. Paul said in his defense, “I have committed no offense against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”
9. But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?”
10. Paul replied, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I should be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.
11. If then I am in the wrong and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, but if not one of their charges against me is true, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
12. Then, after conferring with his council, Festus replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!”
13. After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
14. While they were staying there many days, Festus explained Paul’s case to the king to get his opinion, saying, “There is a man left here as a prisoner by Felix.
15. When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.
16. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met his accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation.