Acts 23

And Paul, looking steadfastly at the Sanhedrin, said, “Men and brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Then Paul said to him, “God is about to strike you, you whitewashed wall, for you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?”

And those who stood by said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”

And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, You are not to speak evil of a ruler of your people.”

But when Paul perceived that one part was Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.”

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

And a great clamor arose, and some of the experts in the law of the Pharisees party stood up, and argued intensely, saying, “We find no evil in this man. And if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him…”

And when there arose a great dissension, the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, ordered the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

And that night the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so you must testify at Rome also.”

And when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

And there were more than 40 men who made this conspiracy.

And they came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

Now therefore you, with the Sanhedrin, signify to the commander that he bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine the things about him more exactly, and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him.”

But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, and he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”

So he took him and brought him to the commander, and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to say to you.”

And the commander took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow to the Sanhedrin, as if they were going to inquire somewhat more precisely about him.

So do not be persuaded by them, for more than 40 men of them are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or to drink until they have killed him, and now they are ready, waiting for a commitment from you.”

So the commander dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”

And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, “Get ready 200 soldiers to go to Caesarea, and 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen, at the third hour of the night.”

And he ordered them to provide animals to ride, to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

And he wrote a letter as follows:

“Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greeting.

This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

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

I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but to not have an accusation worthy of death or prison.

And when it was shown to me that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you immediately, ordering his accusers also to speak against him before you.”

So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

But on the next day they allowed the horsemen to go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.

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

And when he had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia,

he said, “I will hear you fully when your accusers have also come,” and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s praetorium.