Acts 23:10-35

10And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into 1the barracks.

11But on 2the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, “3Be courageous! For 4as you have 5testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.”

12When it was day, 6the Jews formed a 7conspiracy and 8put themselves under an 9oath, 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 10put ourselves under an 11oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15Now therefore, you 12and 13the 14Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly; and as for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes near the place.”

16But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, 15and he came and entered 16the barracks and told Paul. 17Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18So he took him and led him to the commander and said, “Paul 17the prisoner called me over to him and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19The commander 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, “18The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to 19the 20Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not 21listen to them, for more than forty 22of them are 23in hiding to ambush him, and these men have 24put themselves under an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him; and now they are ready and waiting for assurance from you.” 22Then the commander 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 25the third hour of the night to proceed to 26Caesarea, 27with seventy horsemen and two hundred 28spearmen.” 24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to 29Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter 30with the following content:

26“Claudius Lysias, to the 31most excellent governor Felix: 32Greetings.

27When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, 33I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, 34after learning that he was a Roman. 28And 35wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I 36brought him down to their 3738Council; 29and I found that he was being accused regarding 39questions in their Law, but 40was 41not charged with anything deserving death or 42imprisonment.

30When I was 43informed that there would be 44a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing 45his accusers to 46bring charges against him before you.”

31So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32But on the next day they let 47the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to 48the barracks. 33When these horsemen had come to 49Caesarea and delivered the letter to 50the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34Now when he had read it, he also asked from what 51province Paul was, and when he learned that 52he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your 53accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for 54Paul to be 55kept in Herod’s 56Praetorium.