6 [24:24]And after some days Felix coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [24:25]And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix being terrified answered, Go for the present; but when I have time I will call you. [24:26]At the same time also he hoped that money would be given him by Paul; and on this account sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him. [24:27]But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gratify the Jews, Felix left Paul bound. CHAPTER XXIII. PAUL'S TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS, HIS APPEAL TO CAESAR, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA.--A.D. 61. 1 [25:1]FESTUS therefore coming into the province, after three days went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. [25:2]And the chief priests and the first men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, [25:3]asking favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, having provided an ambuscade to kill him on the way. [25:4]Then Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he would go down there shortly; [25:5]and then, he said, the principal men among you may go down with me; if there is any thing against this man they may prosecute him. [25:6]And staying with them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day, sitting on the tribunal, commanded Paul to be brought. 2 [25:7]And when he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and weighty accusations which they could not prove, [25:8]while Paul maintained in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I done any wrong. 3 [25:9]But Festus wishing to gratify the Jews, answered Paul and said, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried by me for these things? [25:10]And Paul said, I stand at the tribunal of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have not injured the Jews, as you also know very well. [25:11]If indeed I have done wrong or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if those things of which they accuse me are nothing, no man may give me up to them; I appeal to Caesar. [25:12]Then Festus having conferred with the council answered, You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go. 4 [25:13]But after some days king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to salute Festus. [25:14]And when they had staid there many days, Festus proposed the case of Paul to the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, [25:15]concerning whom when I was at Jerusalem the chief priests and elders of the Jews gave me information, asking judgment against him; [25:16]to whom I answered, It is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before the accused has the accusers face to face, and is allowed an opportunity to defend himself against the accusation.