Acts 23:10-35

10As a big dispute was developing, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them. So he ordered the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and to bring him into headquarters.

11The following night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, “Take courage! For just as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome!”

12When it was day, the Judean leaders formed a conspiracy. They bound themselves by an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

13There were more than forty who formed this plot.

14They went to the ruling kohanim and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

15So now you and the Sanhedrin serve notice to the commander to bring him down to you—like you are about to investigate his case more thoroughly. But we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush. He went into the headquarters and told Paul.

17Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has a message for him.”

18So the centurion took him and led him to the commander and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”

19The commander took him by the hand, stepped aside, and began asking him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?”

20And he said, “The Judean leaders have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow—as if they are about to investigate more thoroughly about him.

21But do not give in to them, for more than forty of them have bound themselves by an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Even now, they are ready and waiting for your consent.”

22So the commander dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me about these things.”

23Calling two of his centurions, he said, “At the third hour of the night, prepare two hundred soldiers, along with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, to proceed as far as Caesarea.

24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, so that he might be brought safely to Felix the governor.”

25He wrote a letter to this effect:

26“Claudius Lysias, To the Most Excellent Governor Felix: Greetings!

27This man was seized by the Judean leaders and was about to be killed by them, when I came on the scene with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman citizen.

28Desiring to know the charge of which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

29I found that he was accused concerning issues of their law, but charged with nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.

30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you immediately, also ordering his accusers to state before you what they have against him.”

31So the soldiers, in keeping with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32On the next day, they returned to headquarters, leaving the horsemen to go on with him.

33When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul before him.

34Upon reading the letter, the governor asked what province he was from. When he learned that Paul was from Cilicia,

35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers have arrived also.” Then he gave orders for Paul to be guarded in Herod’s Praetorium.