Acts 23:16-33

16But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, 1and he came and entered 2the 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 3the 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, “4The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to 5the 6Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not 7listen to them, for more than forty 8of them are 9in hiding to ambush him, and these men have 10put 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 11the third hour of the night to proceed to 12Caesarea, 13with seventy horsemen and two hundred 14spearmen.” 24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to 15Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter 16with the following content:

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

27When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, 19I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, 20after learning that he was a Roman. 28And 21wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I 22brought him down to their 2324Council; 29and I found that he was being accused regarding 25questions in their Law, but 26was 27not charged with anything 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 on the next day they let 33the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to 34the barracks. 33When these horsemen had come to 35Caesarea and delivered the letter to 36the governor, they also presented Paul to him.