15. When I went to Jerusalem, the Jewish chief priests and the elders brought charges against the man. They wanted him to be found guilty.
16. "I told them that this is not the way Romans do things. We don't judge people before they have faced those bringing charges against them. They must have a chance to speak up for themselves.
17. When the Jews came back with me, I didn't waste any time. I called the court together the next day. I ordered the man to be brought in.
18. Those bringing charges against him got up to speak. But they didn't charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.
19. Instead, they argued with him about their own beliefs. They didn't agree about a dead man named Jesus. Paul claimed Jesus was alive.
20. "I had no idea how to look into such matters. So I asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem. There he could be tried on these charges.
21. But Paul made an appeal to have the Emperor decide his case. So I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar."
22. Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear this man myself." Festus replied, "Tomorrow you will hear him."
23. The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived. They acted like very important people. They entered the courtroom. The most important officers and the leading men of the city came with them. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in.
24. Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all who are here with us, take a good look at this man! Both in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea a large number of Jews have come to me about him. They keep shouting that he shouldn't live any longer.
25. I have found that he hasn't done anything worthy of death. But he made his appeal to the Emperor. So I decided to send him to Rome.
26. "I don't have anything certain to write about him to His Majesty. So I have brought him here today. Now all of you will be able to hear him. King Agrippa, it will also be very good for you to hear him. As a result of this hearing, I will have something to write.