Acts 23

1 Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

2 At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”

4 But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

5 “Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

7 As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

9 A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. If a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

10 The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.

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

12 When daylight came, some of the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

13 More than forty of them were involved in this plot.

14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you tomorrow on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”

16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

18 So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”

20 He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

21 Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

22 So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

23 Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.

24 Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”

25 And he wrote the following letter:

26 Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

27 This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

28 and since I wanted to know their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

29 I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

30 When I was informed that there was a plot by the Jews against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you. Farewell.

31 So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.

32 The next day they returned to the barracks and let the horsemen go on with him.

33 When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.

34 The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,

35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.

1 ¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men [and] brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

6 ¶ But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men [and] brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, ‹Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.›

12 ¶ And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto [him], and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought [him] to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto [him], and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went [with him] aside privately, and asked [him], What is that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

22 So the chief captain [then] let the young man depart, and charged [him, See thou] tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

23 And he called unto [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

24 And provide [them] beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring [him] safe unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.

27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what [they had] against him. Farewell.

31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought [him] by night to Antipatris.

32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

34 And when the governor had read [the letter], he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that [he was] of Cilicia;

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

1 And Paul looked upon the council, and said: Men, brethren, I have walked in all good conscience before God unto this day.

2 And Ananias the high priest commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whitewashed wall. Seest thou and judgest me according to the law, and dost smitest me against the law?

4 And they that sat by said, Dost thou rebuke the high priest of God?

5 And Paul said, Brethren, I knew not that he was the high priest. For it is written: Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people.

6 And when Paul knew that one part was Sadducee, and the other Pharisee, he cried out in council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, and the son of a Pharisee: I am accused for the hope and resurrection of the dead.

7 And when he had said this, there was a tumult among the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there was a great cry. And the scribes, the Pharisees' part, arose, and contended, saying: We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken with him, we cannot dispute with God.

10 And when the tumult was great, the chief captain was afraid lest they should break Paul, and commanded the people of war to go down, and take him from them, and bring him into the camp.

11 And the next day in the night the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou testify also in Rome.

12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews gathered themselves together, and forbade themselves neither to eat nor to drink, until they had killed Paul.

13 And there were more than forty of them that made this covenant.

14 And they came unto the chief priests and elders, and said: We have hard forbidden us nothing to eat, until we have killed Paul.

15 Now therefore make known unto the chief captain and to the council, that they bring him unto you to morrow, as if ye would question him better: but we are ready to slay him before he cometh before you.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard the report, he went and came into the camp, and told Paul.

17 And Paul called unto him one of the rulers, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a thing to say unto him.

18 And he received him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul being bound called unto me, and besought me to bring unto thee this young man, which hath aught to say unto thee.

19 And the chief captain took him by the hand, and went into a certain place, and said unto him, What is it that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews are come to entreat thee, that thou wouldest cause Paul to be brought before the council to morrow, as if they would better question him.

21 But thou trustest them not: for there hold upon him more than forty men of them, which have forbidden themselves neither to eat nor to drink until they kill Paul; and are now ready and waiting for thy promise.

22 Then the chief captain sent the young man away, and commanded him that he should tell no man that he had told him these things.

23 And he called unto him two captains, and said, Prepare two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred archers, at the third hour of the night.

24 And they prepared the beasts to set Paul upon them, and brought him in custody to Felix the governor.

25 And wrote a letter, saying thus:

26 Claudius Lysias the dear governor Felix joy before!

27 This man the Jews had taken, and would have killed him. Then I came with the people of war, and tore him from them, and learned that he was a Roman.

28 And when I had inquired of them the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him into their council.

29 Then found I that he was accused of the questions of their law, but had no accusation worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And it came to pass, when it was brought before me, that some of the Jews laid hold on him, that I sent him unto thee from that hour, and commanded the plaintiffs also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell!

31 The soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul, and led him by night to Antipatris.

32 And the next day they sent the horsemen with him, and turned again to the camp.

33 And when they were come to Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor, and presented Paul also unto him.

34 And when the governor read the letter, he asked of what country he was. And when he found out that he was from Cilicia, he said:

35 I will question thee, when thine accusers are come. And commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.