Acts

23 And Paul looking steadfastly at the High-council, said—Brethren! I in all good conscience have used my citizenship for God until this day.

2 And the High-priest Ananias ordered them that stood by him to be smiting him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul unto him said—God is about to be smiting thee, thou whited wall! Dost thou then sit to judge me according to the law, and unlawfully orderest me to be smitten?

4 And they who stood by said—The High-priest of God dost thou revile?

5 And Paul said—I was not aware, brethren, that he was high-priest; because it is written—Of a ruler of thy people shalt thou not speak injuriously.

6 But Paul getting to know that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees began to cry aloud in the council—Brethren! I am a Pharisee, son of Pharisees:—Concerning a hope even of a rising again of the dead am I to be judged.

7 And as this he was saying there arose a dissension of the Pharisees and Sadducees; and rent asunder was the throng.

8 For Sadducees say there is no rising again nor messenger nor spirit, whereas Pharisees confess them both.

9 And there arose a great outcry, and certain of the Scribes of the party of the Pharisees standing up began to strive, saying—Nothing bad find we in this man;—but if a spirit hath spoken unto him, or a messenger . . .

10 And great dissension arising the captain fearing lest Paul would be torn in pieces by them ordered the troop to go down and take him by force out of their midst, to bring him into the castle.

11 But on the following night the Lord standing over him said—Be of good courage! for as thou hast fully borne witness of the things concerning me in Jerusalem so must thou in Rome also bear witness.

12 And when it became day the Jews forming a conspiracy bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had slain Paul.

13 And they were more than forty who this sworn-confederacy had formed.

14 And they went unto the High-priests and Elders, and said—With a curse have we bound ourselves, to taste nothing until we have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore do ye with the High-council make it appear unto the captain that he should bring him down unto you, as though about to ascertain more exactly the things that concern him; and we or ever he come near are ready to kill him.

16 But Paul’s sister’s son hearing of the lying-in-wait happening to be near, and coming into the castle,—reported it unto Paul.

17 And Paul calling unto him one of the centurions, said—This young man lead thou away unto the captain, for he hath somewhat to report unto him.

18 He therefore taking him with him, brought him unto the captain, and saith—The prisoner Paul calling me unto him requested me to bring this young man unto thee as having somewhat to tell thee.

19 And the captain taking him by the hand and going aside began privately to ask—What is it which thou hast to report unto me?

20 And he said—The Jews have agreed to request thee that to-morrow thou wouldst bring Paul down into the High-council, as though about to ascertain something more exact concerning him.

21 Thou therefore do not be persuaded by them, for there are lying in wait for him from among them more than forty men,—who indeed have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now are they ready awaiting the promise from thee.

22 The captain therefore dismissed the young man, charging him—Unto no one divulge thou that these things thou hast shewed unto me.

23 And calling certain two of the centurions he said—Make ye ready two hundred soldiers, that they may journey as far as Caesarea,—and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, by the third hour of the night;

24 beasts also provide, in order that seating Paul thereon they may bring him safely through unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this form:—

26 Claudius Lysias, unto the most excellent governor Felix, Joy!

27 This man, having been apprehended by the Jews and being about to be killed by them I went down with the troop and rescued; having learned that he was a Roman.

28 And being minded to find out the cause for which they were accusing him [I took him down into their High-council]

29 whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, but of nothing worthy of death or bonds to be charged.

30 But when I was informed there would be a plot against the man forthwith I sent him unto thee, charging his accusers also to be speaking against him before thee.

31 So the soldiers according to their orders taking up Paul brought him by night unto Antipatris;

32 and on the morrow leaving the horsemen to go on with him returned to the castle,—

33 and the others entering into Caesarea, and delivering the letter unto the governor set Paul also before him.

34 And when he had read it and asked out of what province he was, and learned that he was from Cilicia

35 I myself will hear thee in full, said he, whensoever thine accusers also are come; and gave orders that in the palace of Herod he should be kept under guard.