Acts 23:12-35

12When it was day, 1the Jews formed a 2conspiracy and 3put themselves under an 4oath, 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 5put ourselves under an 6oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15Now therefore, you 7and 8the 9Council 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, 10and he came and entered 11the 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 12the 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, “13The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to 14the 15Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not 16listen to them, for more than forty 17of them are 18in hiding to ambush him, and these men have 19put 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 20the third hour of the night to proceed to 21Caesarea, 22with seventy horsemen and two hundred 23spearmen.” 24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to 24Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter 25with the following content:

26“Claudius Lysias, to the 26most excellent governor Felix: 27Greetings.

27When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, 28I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, 29after learning that he was a Roman. 28And 30wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I 31brought him down to their 3233Council; 29and I found that he was being accused regarding 34questions in their Law, but 35was 36not charged with anything deserving death or 37imprisonment.

30When I was 38informed that there would be 39a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing 40his accusers to 41bring 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 42the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to 43the barracks. 33When these horsemen had come to 44Caesarea and delivered the letter to 45the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34Now when he had read it, he also asked from what 46province Paul was, and when he learned that 47he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your 48accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for 49Paul to be 50kept in Herod’s 51Praetorium.