1. And so, when Festus had arrived in the province, after three days, he ascended to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2. And the leaders of the priests, and those first among the Jews, went to him against Paul. And they were petitioning him,
3. asking for favor against him, so that he would order him to be led to Jerusalem, where they were maintaining an ambush in order to kill him along the way.
4. But Festus responded that Paul was to be kept in Caesarea, and that he himself would soon go there.
5. "Therefore," he said, "let those among you who are able, descend at the same time, and if there is any guilt in the man, they may accuse him."
6. Then, having stayed among them no more than eight or ten days, he descended to Caesarea. And on the next day, he sat in the judgment seat, and he ordered Paul to be led in.
7. And when he had been brought, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, throwing out many serious accusations, none of which they were able to prove.
8. Paul offered this defense: "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any matter."