1
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Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, |
2
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where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. |
3
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They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). |
4
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But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. |
5
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So he said, "Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations." |
6
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About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. |
7
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When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn't prove. |
8
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Paul denied the charges. "I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government," he said. |
9
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Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?" |
10
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But Paul replied, "No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. |
11
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If I have done something worthy of death, I don't refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!" |
12
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Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, "Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!" |
13
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A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus. |
14
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During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. "There is a prisoner here," he told him, "whose case was left for me by Felix. |
15
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When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. |
16
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I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves. |
17
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"When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn't delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. |
18
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But the accusations made against him weren't any of the crimes I expected. |
19
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Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. |
20
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I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. |
21
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But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar." |
22
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"I'd like to hear the man myself," Agrippa said.And Festus replied, "You will-- tomorrow!" |
23
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So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. |
24
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Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. |
25
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But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. |
26
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"But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. |
27
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For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!" |
Acts 25:17 English Language Bible Words basic statistical display
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