10The dispute was becoming so violent, that the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces between them, ordered the Guard to go down and rescue him from them, and take him into the Fort.
11That night the Lord came and stood by Paul, and said, “Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem and you must bear witness in Rome also.”
12In the morning some Jewish men combined together, and took an oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13There were more than forty in the plot;
14and they went to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to touch food until we have killed Paul.
15So we want you now, with the consent of the Council, to suggest to the commanding officer that he should bring Paul down before you, as though you intended to go more fully into his case; but, before he comes here, we will be ready to make away with him.”
16However, the son of Paul's sister, hearing of the plot, went to the Fort, and on being admitted, told Paul about it.
17Paul called one of the Captains of the garrison and asked him to take the lad to the commanding officer, as he had something to tell him.
18The captain went with the lad to the commanding officer, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this lad to you, as he has something to tell you.”
19The commanding officer took the lad by the hand, and, stepping aside, asked what it was he had to tell him.
20“Some men have agreed,” answered the lad, “to ask you to bring Paul down before the Council tomorrow, on the plea of your making further inquiry into his case.
21But do not let them persuade you, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him, who have taken an oath that they will not eat or drink, until they have made away with him; and they are at this very moment in readiness, counting on your promise.”
22The commanding officer then dismissed the lad, cautioning him not to mention to anybody that he had given him that information.
23Then he called two Captains, and ordered them to have two hundred soldiers ready to go to Caesarea, as well as seventy troopers and two hundred lancers, by nine o'clock that night,
24and to have horses ready for Paul to ride, so that they might take him safely to Felix, the Governor.
25He also wrote a letter along these lines:
26‘Claudius Lysias sends his compliments to His Excellency Felix the Governor.
Acts 23
Acts 23:10-26