Acts 23:6-35

6But perceiving that one group were 1Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in 2the 3Council, “4Brethren, 5I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for 6the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For 7the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9And there occurred a great uproar; and some of 8the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “9We find nothing wrong with this man; 10suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10And as a great dissension was developing, the 11commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into 12the barracks.

11But on 13the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “14Take courage; for 15as you have 16solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

12When it was day, 17the Jews formed a 18conspiracy and 19bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have 20bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15Now therefore, you 21and 22the 23Council notify the 24commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”

16But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, 25and he came and entered 26the barracks and told Paul. 17Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the 27commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18So he took him and led him to the 28commander and said, “Paul 29the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” 19The 30commander 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, “31The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to 32the 33Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not 34listen to them, for more than forty of them are 35lying in wait for him who have 36bound 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 37commander 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 38the third hour of the night to proceed to 39Caesarea, 40with seventy horsemen and two hundred 41spearmen.” 24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to 42Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter having this form:

26“Claudius Lysias, to the 43most excellent governor Felix, 44greetings.

27When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, 45I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, 46having learned that he was a Roman. 28And 47wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I 48brought him down to their 4950Council; 29and I found him to be accused over 51questions about their Law, but 52under 53no accusation deserving death or 54imprisonment.

30When I was 55informed that there would be 56a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing 57his accusers to 58bring 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 59the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to 60the barracks. 33When these had come to 61Caesarea and delivered the letter to 62the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34When he had read it, he asked from what 63province he was, and when he learned that 64he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing after your 65accusers arrive also,” giving orders for him to be 66kept in Herod’s 67Praetorium.