Acts 23

1. And after gazing intently upon the Sanhedrin, Paul said, “Men and brethren, I have conducted myself in all good conscience toward God unto this day.”

2. Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by him to strike him on the mouth.

3. And Paul said to him, “God is about to strike you, you whited wall. Do you yourselves now judge me according to the law, while you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4. But those who were standing by him said, “Do you rail against the high priest of God?”

5. And Paul said, “Brethren, I did not know that he is a high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

6. Now when Paul learned that one part were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, and a son of a Pharisee: I am being called into question concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead.”

7. And after he said this, there was dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the multitude was divided;

8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel or other spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

9. Then there was a great clamor; and the scribes who were part of the Pharisees stood up and contended, saying, “We find nothing evil in this man; and if a spirit spoke to him, or an angel, let us not fight against God.”

10. And when a great argument arose, the chief captain was afraid that Paul might be torn apart by them; and he commanded the troop to go down and take him out of their midst by force, and to bring him into the fortress.

11. Now on the following night, the Lord stood beside him and said, “Be of good courage, Paul; for as you have fully testified the things concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness in Rome.”

12. And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and put themselves under a curse, declaring that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

13. And there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy.

14. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have placed ourselves under a curse, that we will taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

15. Now therefore, you must go with the Sanhedrin to the chief captain and say that you want to examine him in more detail, so that he will bring him down to you tomorrow, and we will be ready to kill him before he even comes near.”

16. But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their plan to lie in wait; and he came and entered inside the fortress and reported it to Paul.

17. And Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to report to him.”

18. Then he took him and brought him to the chief captain, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me aside and requested that I bring this young man to you, for he has something to say to you.”

19. And the chief captain took hold of his hand, and they went to a private place; and he inquired, “What is it that you have to report to me?”

20. And he said, “The Jews have agreed to request that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they desire to question him more thoroughly.

21. But you then, do not be persuaded by them; for some of them will lie in wait for him, more than forty men who have put themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him; and they are now ready, waiting for a promise from you to bring him.”

22. Then the chief captain dismissed the young man, having charged him to tell no one those things that he had reported to him.

23. And he called two certain centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen for the third hour of the night, that they may go as far as Caesarea.

24. And have beasts of burden ready, that they may set Paul on them, and may carry him safely through to Felix the governor.”

25. Then he wrote a letter after this manner:

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

27. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be put to death by them when I came up with a troop and rescued him, after learning that he is a Roman.

28. And desiring to know the cause for which they accused him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

29. I found that he was accused of questions concerning their law, but had done nothing worthy of death or bonds.

30. But when I was informed that a plot against this man was about to be carried out by the Jews, I sent him to you at once, and have also commanded the accusers to say the things against him before your judgment seat. Farewell.”

31. Then the soldiers, according to the orders given to them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris;

32. And on the next day they returned to the fortress, leaving the horsemen to go on with him;

33. Who, when they came into Caesarea, gave the letter to the governor and also presented Paul to him.

34. And after reading the letter, the governor asked from what province he was. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

35. He said, “I will give you a full hearing when your accusers also have arrived.” And he commanded him to be kept in the Praetorium of Herod.