rd

Acts 25

2 The Jews accuse Paul before Festus. 8 He answereth for him self, 11 And appealeth unto the Emperor. 14 His matter is rehearsed before Agrippa, 23 And he is brought forth.
1.When Festus was then come into the province, after three days he went up from Cesarea unto Jerusalem.
2.Then the high Priest, and the chief of the Jews appeared before him against Paul: and they besought him,
3.And adesired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem: and they laid wait to kill him by the way.
4.But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he him self would shortly depart thither.
5.Let them therefore, said he, which among you are bable, come down with us: and if there be any wickedness in the man, let them accuse him.
6.¶ Now when he had tarried among them no more than ten days, he went down to Cesarea, and the next day sat in the judgement seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
7.And when he was come, the Jews which were come from Jerusalem, stood about him and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove,
8.Forasmuch as he answered, cthat he had neither offended any thing against the Law of the Jews, neither against the Temple, nor against Cesar.
9.Yet Fetus willing to ^get favour of the Jews, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10.Then said Paul, I stand at dCesar’s judgement seat, where I ought to be ejudged: to the Jews I have done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11.For if I have done wrong, or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me, no man can deliver me to them: I appeal unto Cesar.
12.Then when Fetus had spoken with fthe Council, he answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.
13.¶ And after certain days, King Agrippa and gBernice came down to Cesarea to salute Festus.
14.And when they had remained there many days, Festus proposed Paul’s cause unto the King, saying, There is a certain man left in prison by Felix.
15.Of whom when I came to Jerusalem, the high Priests and Elders of the Jews informed me, and desired to have judgement against him.
16.To whom I answered, that it is not the manner of the Romaines for favour to deliver any man to the death before that he which is accused, have the accusers before him, and have place to defend him self, concerning the crime.
17.Therefore when they were come hither, without delay the day following I sat on the judgement seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18.Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought no crime of such things as I supposed:
19.But had certain questions against him of their own hsuperstition, and of one Jesus which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20.And because I doubted of such manner of question, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things.
21.But because he appealed to be reserved to the examination of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Cesar.
22.Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man my self. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23.And on the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, and were entered into the ^Common hall with the chief captains and chief men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was bought forth.
24.And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have called upon me, both at Jerusalem, and here, crying, that he ought not to live any longer.
25.Yet have I found nothing worthy of death, that he hath committed: nevertheless, seeing that he hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26.Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my iLord: wherefore I have brought him forth unto you, and specially unto thee, King Agrippa, that after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27.For me thinketh it unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not to shewe the causes which are layed against him.

Notes

3-a.
The envious suit of the Priests against Paul.
5-b.
Which may most commodiously.
8-c.
Paul defends himself in judgement.
9-^.
Or, to do pleasure.
10-d.
Seeing himself betrayed by the ambition of the judge, he desires that in consideration of his freedom, he may be sent to Rome.
10-e.
It is lawful to require the defence of the Magistrate to maintain our right.
12-f.
Without whose consent he could do nothing.
13-g.
This was his own sister whom he entertained.
19-h.
This word does also signify religion: but he speaks in contempt of the true doctrine.
23-^.
Or, auditorie.
26-i.
Flatterers first used to call Tyrants by this name, and after it so grew into use, that virtuous princes refused it not, as appears by Plinie’s epistles to Tralane.