Acts 23:17-35

17Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the 1commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18So he took him and led him to the 2commander and said, “Paul 3the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” 19The 4commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20And he said, “5The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to 6the 7Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not 8listen to them, for more than forty of them are 9lying in wait for him who have 10bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” 22So the 11commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.” 23And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by 12the third hour of the night to proceed to 13Caesarea, 14with seventy horsemen and two hundred 15spearmen.” 24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to 16Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter having this form:

26“Claudius Lysias, to the 17most excellent governor Felix, 18greetings.

27When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, 19I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, 20having learned that he was a Roman. 28And 21wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I 22brought him down to their 2324Council; 29and I found him to be accused over 25questions about their Law, but 26under 27no accusation deserving death or 28imprisonment.

30When I was 29informed that there would be 30a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing 31his accusers to 32bring charges against him before you.”

31So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32But the next day, leaving 33the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to 34the barracks. 33When these had come to 35Caesarea and delivered the letter to 36the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34When he had read it, he asked from what 37province he was, and when he learned that 38he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing after your 39accusers arrive also,” giving orders for him to be 40kept in Herod’s 41Praetorium.