14. 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. When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him.
16. 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. “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. But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected.
19. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.
20. 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.