Acts 23

1 And Paul, looking attentively on the Sanhedrim, said, Brethren, I have, even to this day, lived in all good conscience toward God--

2 And Ananias, the high priest, commanded those that stood by him, to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, God is about to strike you, you whited wall! For do you sit to judge me according to the law, and yet, in violation of the law, command me to be struck?

4 But they, that stood by, said, Do you revile the high priest of God?

5 And Paul said, Brethren, I was not aware that it was the high priest; for it is written, "You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people."

6 Then Paul, perceiving that the one part was Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out, in the Sanhedrim, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; for the hope and resurrection of the dead, I am brought into judgment.

7 And on speaking this, there was a contention between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the multitude was divided.

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

9 And there was a great clamor; and the scribes who were on the side of the Pharisees, arose and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit, or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

10 And as a great disturbance arose, the commander, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, ordered the soldiers to go down, and take him by force from the midst of them, and to bring him into the castle.

11 And in the following night, the Lord, standing by him, said, Be of good courage, Paul; for as you have testified the things concerning me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear testimony in Rome.

12 And when it was day, some of the Jews, entering into a conspiracy, bound themselves with a curse; saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty, who had made this agreement.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves m by a solemn anathema, not to taste anything till we have slain Paul:

15 now, therefore, do you, with the Sanhedrim, signify to the commander, that he bring him down to you, as if you would more accurately discuss what relates to him; and we are ready to kill him, before he can come near you.

16 But Paul's sister's son, hearing of the ambush, came, and entering into the castle, told Paul.

17 And Paul, calling one of the centurions to him, said, Conduct this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.

18 He, therefore, took and led him to the commander, and said, Paul, the prisoner, calling me to him, desired that I would bring to you this young man, who has something to tell you.

19 And the commander, taking him by the hand, and leading him into a retired place, inquired of him, What is it that you have to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed together to ask you, that you bring down Paul to-morrow to the Sanhedrim, as if they would inquire something more accurately concerning him.

21 But do not be prevailed on by them; for there are more than forty of them, that lie in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by a curse, neither to eat nor drink, till they have killed him; and they are now ready, expecting this promise from you.

22 The commander, therefore, dismissed the young man, with a charge, Be sure you tell no man, that you have discovered these things to me.

23 And he called too him two of the centurions, and said, Prepare two hundred soldiers, to go to Cesarea; and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen; by the third hour of the night;

24 and provide beasts to set Paul upon, and conduct him in safety to Felix, the governor.

25 And he wrote an epistle, the contents of which are in this copy:

26 Claudius Lysias, to his excellency, Felix, the governor, sends greeting:

27 This man was seized by the Jews, and had like to have been slain by them; when I came with a party of soldiers, and rescued him: and I have since learned, that he is a Roman.

28 And, desiring to know the crime of which they accused him, I brought him before the Sanhedrim,

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

30 But when it was signified to me, that an ambush would be laid for the man, by the Jews, I immediately sent him to you, commanding his accusers also to declare before you, what they have against him. Farewell.

31 The soldiers, therefore, as it was commanded them, taking up Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 And the next day they returned to the castle, leaving the horsemen to go with him:

33 who, entering into Cesarea, and delivering the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

34 And when he had read the letter, he asked of what province he was: and being informed that he was of Cilicia,

35 I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's pretorium.