Acts 25

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Just three days after Festus arrived in the region, he journeyed from Caesarea, climbing up to Jerusalem with anticipation.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

The high priest and the Jewish leader passionately accused Paul, pleading with him.

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

They wished harm upon him, hoping he'd be summoned to Jerusalem. In secret, they planned to ambush and end his life.

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

Festus firmly decided that Paul would stay in Caesarea, and he himself planned to leave for there soon.

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

He urged, "Those among you who can, come with me. Point out this man's wrongs, if he truly is wicked."

And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

After spending over ten days with them, he journeyed to Caesarea. The following day, he sat on the judgment seat and ordered for Paul to be brought before him.

And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

When he arrived, the Jews from Jerusalem surrounded him, accusing Paul of serious offenses they couldn't substantiate. Their hostility was palpable, their words heavy with unproven allegations.

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

In his own defense, he declared, "I have not broken any Jewish law, disrespected the temple, or wronged Caesar in any way."

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

Eager to please the Jews, Festus asked Paul, "Would you go to Jerusalem and let me judge you there for these matters?"

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

Paul declared, "I stand before Caesar's court, the rightful place for my judgment. I've done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you are fully aware."

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

If I've done wrong, deserving death, I won't resist it. But if I'm innocent of their accusations, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I demand to face Caesar.

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

After discussing with his advisors, Festus responded with a question, "Did you ask for Caesar's judgment? Then to Caesar, you shall be taken."

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

After a while, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea, warmly greeting Festus.

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

After spending considerable time there, Festus passionately presented Paul's case to the king. He said, "Felix has left a certain man, Paul, in chains."

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

When I was in Jerusalem, the Jewish high priests and elders told me about a man they wanted to be judged.

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

I replied, "It's not our way to condemn anyone without a fair trial, where the accused can meet his accusers and defend himself against the charges."

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

As soon as they arrived, without wasting any time, I took my place on the judge's seat the very next day and ordered the man to be presented before me.

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

When his accusers rose to confront him, they didn't bring forth the charges I had anticipated.

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

They had some disputes with Paul about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died. But Paul passionately insisted that Jesus was alive.

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

Overwhelmed by my uncertainty about these complex issues, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and seek judgment on these matters.

But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

When Paul pleaded to be held for Augustus' hearing, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

Agrippa told Festus, "I want to hear from the man myself." Festus replied, "Tomorrow, you'll get your chance."

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.

The next day, Agrippa and Bernice arrived in grand style. They entered the court, accompanied by top-ranking officers and influential city leaders. At Festus' order, Paul was then presented before them.

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

Festus turned to King Agrippa and the crowd, his voice heavy with emotion, "Look at this man, the one the Jews have been complaining about, both here and in Jerusalem. They're insisting he doesn't deserve to live."

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

When I discovered he had done nothing deserving death, and that he had pleaded his case to Augustus, I decided to send him there.

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

I have nothing definite to write about him to my lord the Emperor. So I've presented him to all of you, particularly to you, King Agrippa. After questioning him, I hope to have something to write.

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

To me, it feels unreasonable to send a prisoner on without clearly stating the charges against him.