Acts 23:9-31 in English

⁹ And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

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

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

¹² And when it was day, 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 that made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

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

¹⁹ And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?

²⁰ And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

²¹ Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.

²² So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

²³ And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:

²⁴ and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

²⁵ And he wrote a letter after this form:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.

²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:

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

³⁰ And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.

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

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 Cæsarea, 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.

⁹ And there arose a great clamour: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

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

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

¹² And when it was day, 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 made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to slay him.

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath something to tell him.

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

¹⁹ And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is that thou hast to tell me?

²⁰ And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

²¹ Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.

²² So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

²³ And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:

²⁴ and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

²⁵ And he wrote a letter after this form:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.

²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers, and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:

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

³⁰ And when it was shewn to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.

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

⁹ So the Council members ◄were divided/did not agree with each other►, and they began shouting at one another as they argued. Some of the teachers of the laws that God gave Moses who were Pharisees stood up. One of them said, “We (exc) think that this man has done nothing wrong.” Another said, “Maybe an angel or some other spirit really spoke to him and what he says is true.”

¹⁰ Then the Pharisees and Sadducees argued even more loudly with one another. As a result, the commander ◄was afraid/thought► that they would tear Paul to pieces. So he commanded soldiers to go down from the barracks and forcefully take Paul away from the Council members and bring him up into the barracks. So the soldiers did that.

¹¹ That night, in a vision Paul saw the Lord Jesus come and stand near him. The Lord said to him, “Be courageous! You (sg) have told people here in Jerusalem about me, and you must tell people in Rome about me, too.”

¹² The next morning some of the Jews MTY who hated Paul met secretly and talked about how they could kill him. They promised themselves that they would not eat or drink anything until they had killed him. They asked God to curse them if they did not do what they promised.

¹³ There were more than forty men who planned to do that.

¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and Jewish elders and told them, “God has heard us promise/vow that we (exc) will not eat or drink anything until we (exc) have killed Paul.

¹⁵ So we request that you go to the commander and ask him, on behalf of the whole Jewish Council, to bring Paul down to us from the barracks. Tell the commander that you want to question Paul some more. But we (exc) will be waiting to kill Paul while he is on the way here.”

¹⁶ But the son of Paul's sister heard what they were planning to do, so he went into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ When Paul heard that, he called one of the officers and said to him, “ Please take this young man to the commander, because he needs to tell him something important.”

¹⁸ So the officer took Paul's nephew to the commander. The officer said to the commander, “That prisoner, Paul, called me and said, ‘Please take this young man to the commander, because he needs to tell him something important.’ ”

¹⁹ The commander took the young man by the hand, led him off by himself, and asked him, “What do you (sg) need to tell me?”

²⁰ The young man said, “ There are some SYN Jews who have planned to ask you (sg) to bring Paul before their Council tomorrow. They will say that they want to ask him some more questions. But that is not true.

²¹ Do not do what they ask you (sg) to do, because there are more than forty Jewish men who will be hiding and waiting to attack Paul when he passes by on the way to the Council. They even promised/vowed to God that they will not eat or drink anything until they have killed Paul. They are ready to do it, and right now they are waiting for you (sg) to agree to do what they are asking you to do.”

²² The commander said to Paul's young nephew, “Do not tell anyone that you (sg) have told me about their plan.” Then he sent the young man away.

²³ Then the commander called two of his officers and told them, “Get a group of two hundred soldiers ready to travel. Take along seventy soldiers riding horses, and two hundred other soldiers carrying spears. All of you must be ready to leave at nine o'clock tonight, to go down to Caesarea.

²⁴ And take along horses for Paul and those accompanying him to ride, and safely escort him to the palace of Governor Felix.”

²⁵ Then the commander wrote a letter to send to the governor. This is what he wrote:

²⁶ “ I am Claudius Lysias writing to you. You, Felix, are our governor whom we (exc) respect, and I sincerely send you my greetings.

²⁷ I have sent you(sg) this man, Paul, because certain Jews seized him and were about to kill him. But I heard someone tell me that he is a Roman citizen, so I and my soldiers went and rescued him.

²⁸ I wanted to know what those Jews were saying that he had done wrong, so I took him to their Jewish Council.

²⁹ I listened while they asked this man questions and he answered them. The things they accused him about were entirely concerned with their Jewish laws. But Paul has not disobeyed any of our Roman laws. So our officials should not execute him or even put him in prison MTY.

³⁰ Someone told me that some SYN Jews were secretly planning to kill this man, so I immediately am sending him to you, so that you(sg) may give him a fair trial there. I have also commanded the Jews who have accused him to go there to Caesarea and tell you (sg) what they are accusing him about.”

³¹ So the soldiers did what the commander commanded them, taking this letter with them. They got Paul and took him with them during the night down to Antipatris city.

⁹ A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ A great clamour arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from amongst them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to enquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learnt that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ And there was a great outcry: and some of the scribes on the side of the Pharisees got up and took part in the discussion, saying, We see no evil in this man: what if he has had a revelation from an angel or a spirit?

¹⁰ And when the argument became very violent, the chief captain, fearing that Paul would be pulled in two by them, gave orders to the armed men to take him by force from among them, and take him into the army building.

¹¹ And the night after, the Lord came to his side and said, Be of good heart, for as you have been witnessing for me in Jerusalem, so will you be my witness in Rome.

¹² And when it was day, the Jews came together and put themselves under an oath that they would take no food or drink till they had put Paul to death.

¹³ And more than forty of them took this oath.

¹⁴ And they came to the chief priests and the rulers and said, We have taken a great oath to take no food till we have put Paul to death

¹⁵ So now, will you and the Sanhedrin make a request to the military authorities to have him sent down to you, as if you were desiring to go into the business in greater detail; and we, before ever he gets to you, will be waiting to put him to death.

¹⁶ But Paul's sister's son had word of their design, and he came into the army building and gave news of it to Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul sent for a captain and said, Take this young man to your chief, for he has news for him.

¹⁸ So he took him to the chief captain and said, Paul, the prisoner, made a request to me to take this young man to you, for he has something to say to you.

¹⁹ And the chief took him by the hand and, going on one side, said to him privately, What is it you have to say to me?

²⁰ And he said, The Jews are in agreement together to make a request to you for Paul to be taken, on the day after this, into the Sanhedrin, to be questioned in greater detail.

²¹ But do not give way to them, for more than forty of them are waiting for him, having taken an oath not to take food or drink till they have put him to death: and now they are ready, waiting for your order.

²² So the chief captain let the young man go, saying to him, Do not say to anyone that you have given me word of these things.

²³ And he sent for two captains and said, Make ready two hundred men, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, to go to Caesarea, at the third hour of the night:

²⁴ And get beasts so that they may put Paul on them, and take him safely to Felix, the ruler.

²⁵ And he sent a letter in these words:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias, to the most noble ruler, Felix, peace be with you.

²⁷ This man was taken by the Jews, and was about to be put to death by them, when I came on them with the army and took him out of danger, having knowledge that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And, desiring to get at the reason for their attack on him, I took him down to their Sanhedrin:

²⁹ Then it became clear to me that it was a question of their law, and that nothing was said against him which might be a reason for prison or death.

³⁰ And when news was given to me that a secret design was being made against the man, I sent him straight away to you, giving orders to those who are against him to make their statements before you.

³¹ So the armed men, as they were ordered, took Paul and came by night to Antipatris.

⁹ And there was a great clamour, and the scribes of the Pharisees' part rising up contended, saying, We find nothing evil in this man; and if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel...

¹⁰ And a great tumult having arisen, the chiliarch, fearing lest Paul should have been torn in pieces by them, commanded the troop to come down and take him by force from the midst of them, and to bring him into the fortress.

¹¹ But the following night the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good courage; for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so thou must bear witness at Rome also.

¹² And when it was day, the Jews, having banded together, put themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they should kill Paul.

¹³ And they were more than forty who had joined together in this oath;

¹⁴ and they went to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have cursed ourselves with a curse to taste nothing until we kill Paul.

¹⁵ Now therefore do ye with the council make a representation to the chiliarch so that he may bring him down to you, as about to determine more precisely what concerns him, and we, before he draws near, are ready to kill him.

¹⁶ But Paul's sister's son, having heard of the lying in wait, came and entered into the fortress and reported it to Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul, having called one of the centurions, said, Take this youth to the chiliarch, for he has something to report to him.

¹⁸ He therefore, having taken him with him, led him to the chiliarch, and says, The prisoner Paul called me to him and asked me to lead this youth to thee, who has something to say to thee.

¹⁹ And the chiliarch having taken him by the hand, and having gone apart in private, inquired, What is it that thou hast to report to me?

²⁰ And he said, The Jews have agreed together to make a request to thee, that thou mayest bring Paul down to-morrow into the council, as about to inquire something more precise concerning him.

²¹ Do not thou then be persuaded by them, for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have put themselves under a curse neither to eat nor drink till they kill him; and now they are ready waiting the promise from thee.

²² The chiliarch then dismissed the youth, commanding him, Utter to no one that thou hast represented these things to me.

²³ And having called to him certain two of the centurions, he said, Prepare two hundred soldiers that they may go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred light-armed footmen, for the third hour of the night.

²⁴ And he ordered them to provide beasts, that they might set Paul on them and carry him safe through to Felix the governor,

²⁵ having written a letter, couched in this form:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.

²⁷ This man, having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, I came up with the military and took out of their hands, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And desiring to know the charge on which they accused him, I brought him down to their council;

²⁹ whom I found to be accused of questions of their law, but to have no charge laid against him making him worthy of death or of bonds.

³⁰ But having received information of a plot about to be put in execution against the man by the Jews, I have immediately sent him to thee, commanding also his accusers to say before thee the things that are against him. Farewell.

³¹ The soldiers therefore, according to what was ordered them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris,

⁹ And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising up, strove, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

¹⁰ And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by 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 standing by him, said: Be constant; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

¹² And when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat, nor drink, till they killed Paul.

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

¹⁴ Who came to the chief priests and the ancients, and said: We have bound ourselves under a great curse that we will eat nothing till we have slain Paul.

¹⁵ Now therefore do you with the council signify to the tribune, that he bring him forth to you, as if you meant to know something more certain touching him. And we, before he come near, are ready to kill him.

¹⁶ Which when Paul’s sister’s son had heard, of their lying in wait, he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul, calling to him one of the centurions, said: Bring this young man to the tribune, for he hath some thing to tell him.

¹⁸ And he taking him, brought him to the tribune, and said: Paul, the prisoner, desired me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath some thing to say to thee.

¹⁹ And the tribune taking him by the hand, went aside with him privately, and asked him: What is it that thou hast to tell me?

²⁰ And he said: The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldst bring forth Paul tomorrow into the council, as if they meant to inquire some thing more certain touching him.

²¹ But do not thou give credit to them; for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves by oath neither to eat, nor to drink, till they have killed him: and they are now ready, looking for a promise from thee.

²² The tribune therefore dismissed the young man, charging him that he should tell no man, that he had made known these things unto him.

²³ Then having called two centurions, he said to them: Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen for the third hour of the night:

²⁴ And provide beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe to Felix the governor.

²⁵ (For he feared lest perhaps the Jews might take him away by force and kill him, and he should afterwards be slandered, as if he was to take money.) And he wrote a letter after this manner:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor, Felix, greeting.

²⁷ This man being taken by the Jews, and ready to be killed by them, I rescued coming in with an army, understanding that he is a Roman:

²⁸ And meaning to know the cause which they objected unto him, I brought him forth into their council.

²⁹ Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law; but having nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bands.

³⁰ And when I was told of ambushes that they had prepared for him, I sent him to thee, signifying also to his accusers to plead before thee. Farewell.

³¹ Then the soldiers, according as it was commanded them, taking Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ And there came to be a great outcry, and the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, 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 when much dissension developed, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be torn apart by them, commanded the detachment of soldiers to go down and seize him from the midst of them, and to bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ Now on the next night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, Paul; for as you solemnly testified about the things concerning Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

¹² Now when it was day, some of the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by a curse, saying neither would they eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ And there were over forty who had made this plot;

¹⁴ who came to the chief priests and to the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves by oath with a curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

¹⁵ Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you are going to determine more accurately the things concerning him; but we, before he comes near, are prepared to kill him.”

¹⁶ But when Paul's sister's son heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks, and told this to Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul, summoning one of the centurions, said, “Lead this young man away to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ Therefore taking him along, he brought him to the commander and said, “The prisoner Paul, having summoned me, asked me to bring this young man to you, for he has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ And the commander, taking him by his hand, withdrew to a private place and inquired, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that tomorrow you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin, as though they are going to learn something more accurate concerning him.

²¹ Therefore you must not be persuaded by them; for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves by a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him; and now they are prepared, waiting for the promise from you.”

²² Then the commander dismissed the young man, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have made known these things to me.”

²³ And having summoned two of the centurions he said, “Make ready two hundred soldiers, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, in order that they may go to Caesarea, to leave at the third hour of the night;

²⁴ and place mounts at their disposal, in order that they may put Paul on them, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

²⁵ And he wrote a letter which contained this content:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ This man, having been arrested by the Jews, was about to be killed by them. I came upon them with the detachment of soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.

²⁸ And desiring to know the cause for which they were accusing him, I took him down to their council;

²⁹ and I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had no accusation against him worthy of death or chains.

³⁰ And when it became known to me that a plot against the man by the Jews was about to happen, I sent him at once to you, and also commanded the accusers to state the charges against him before you. Farewell.

³¹ Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris.

⁹ There was a great clamor, and the scribes of the Pharisee party stood up and started arguing vigorously, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; but if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God!”

¹⁰ Well the dissension became such that the commander, fearing that Paul might be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and snatch him out of their midst and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ Now the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, Paul, because as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

¹² And when it was day, some of the Jews formed a conspiracy by binding themselves with a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they had destroyed Paul.

¹³ Now there were more than forty who formed this plot.

¹⁴ They came to the chief priests and the elders and said: “We have bound ourselves with a terrible curse not to taste anything until we have killed Paul.

¹⁵ Now you, therefore, together with the council, explain to the commander that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you are going to determine more accurately the facts in his case; but we are ready to destroy him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But when Paul's sister's son heard about the ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

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

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ So taking him by the hand, the commander went aside and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ So he said: “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ But you should not believe them, because more than forty of their men are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves with a curse neither to eat not to drink until they have destroyed him; even now they are ready, looking for your promise.”

²² Then the commander dismissed the young man commanding, “Don't tell anyone that you have revealed these things to me!”

²³ Summoning two of the centurions he said: “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;

²⁴ and provide mounts to set Paul on so as to deliver him safely to Felix, the governor.”

²⁵ He wrote a letter with this content:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them; but I came with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.

²⁸ And wanting to know the reason they were accusing him, I took him down to their council.

²⁹ I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but there was no accusation worthy of death or bonds.

³⁰ When I was told that the Jews were about to execute a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also directing his accusers to state the charges against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, according to their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ A great commotion erupted and some of the Pharisee teachers of the law stood up and argued fiercely, saying, “We find this man not guilty! Maybe a spirit spoke to him, or an angel!”

¹⁰ The argument was getting out of hand, so the commander, concerned that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go and rescue him from them by force, and take him back into the fortress.

¹¹ Afterwards, during the night, the Lord stood by Paul, and told him, “Keep up your courage! Just as you have given your testimony about me in Jerusalem, so you must be my witness in Rome as well.”

¹² Next day some Jews plotted together, and they took an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ Over forty were part of this conspiracy.

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

¹⁵ So you and the council should send word to the commander that he should bring Paul down to meet with you, as if you wanted to examine his case in more detail. We're ready to kill him along the way.”

¹⁶ But Paul's nephew (his sister's son) heard about their planned ambush, and he went into the fortress and told Paul about it.

¹⁷ Paul called over one of the centurions, and told him, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has some information to share with him.”

¹⁸ So the centurion took Paul's nephew and brought him to the commander and told him, “The prisoner Paul called me over 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 and drew him aside. “What do you have to tell me?” he asked quietly.

²⁰ “The Jews have arranged to ask you to bring Paul to the council tomorrow, as if they wanted to ask more detailed questions about his case,” he explained.

²¹ “Please don't listen to them, because they have planned to ambush him with more than forty men who have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They're ready right now, waiting for you to agree to the request.”

²² The commander sent the young man on his way, warning him, “Don't tell anyone that you've told me about this.”

²³ He summoned two centurions and told them, “Get two hundred soldiers ready to go to Caesarea, together with seventy cavalry-men and two hundred spearmen. Be ready to leave at nine p.m. tonight.

²⁴ Provide horses for Paul to ride to make sure he gets to Governor Felix safely.”

²⁵ He also wrote a letter that went like this:

²⁶ “From 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 arrived on the scene with soldiers and rescued him, because I had found out he was a Roman citizen.

²⁸ I wanted to know the reason for their accusations, so I took him before their council.

²⁹ I found out the charges against him had to do with issues regarding their law, but he was not guilty of anything that merited death or imprisonment.

³⁰ When I discovered a plot against this man I sent him to you right away, ordering his accusers to make their complaints before you.”

³¹ So the soldiers followed their orders and took Paul overnight to Antipatris.

⁹ Then there was a great crye: and the Scribes of the Pharises part rose vp, and stroue, saying, Wee finde none euill in this man: but if a spirit or an Angel hath spoken to him, let vs not fight against God.

¹⁰ And when there was a great dissension, the chiefe captaine, fearing lest Paul should haue bene pulled in pieces of them, commanded the souldiers to go downe, and take him from among them, and to bring him into the castel.

¹¹ Nowe the night folowing, the Lord stoode by him, and saide, Be of good courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified of mee in Hierusalem, so must thou beare witnesse also at Rome.

¹² And when the day was come, certaine of the Iewes made an assemblie, and bounde themselues with a curse, saying, that they woulde neither eate nor drinke, till they had killed Paul.

¹³ And they were more then fourtie, which had made this conspiracie.

¹⁴ And they came to the chiefe Priestes and Elders, and said, We haue bound our selues with a solemne curse, that wee will eate nothing, vntill we haue slaine Paul.

¹⁵ Nowe therefore, ye and the Council signifie to the chiefe captaine, that hee bring him foorth vnto you to morow: as though you would know some thing more perfectly of him, and we, or euer he come neere, will be readie to kill him.

¹⁶ But when Pauls sisters sonne heard of their laying awaite, he went, and entred into the castel, and tolde Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul called one of the Centurions vnto him, and said, Take this yong man hence vnto the chiefe captaine: for he hath a certaine thing to shewe him.

¹⁸ So hee tooke him, and brought him to the chiefe captaine, and saide, Paul the prisoner called mee vnto him, and prayed mee to bring this yong man vnto thee, which hath some thing to say vnto thee.

¹⁹ Then the chiefe captaine tooke him by the hande, and went apart with him alone, and asked him, What hast thou to shewe me?

²⁰ And he saide, The Iewes haue conspired to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring foorth Paul to morow into the Council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly:

²¹ But let them not perswade thee: for there lie in waite for him of them, more then fourtie men, which haue bound themselues with a curse, that they will neither eate nor drinke, till they haue killed him: and nowe are they readie, and waite for thy promise.

²² The chiefe captaine then let the yong man depart, after hee had charged him to vtter it to no man, that he had shewed him these things.

²³ And he called vnto him two certaine Centurions, saying, Make readie two hundred souldiers, that they may go to Cæsarea, and horsemen three score and ten, and two hundred with dartes, at the thirde houre of the night.

²⁴ And let them make readie an horse, that Paul being set on, may be brought safe vnto Felix the Gouernour.

²⁵ And he wrote an epistle in this maner:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias vnto the most noble Gouernour Felix sendeth greeting.

²⁷ As this man was taken of the Iewes, and shoulde haue bene killed of them, I came vpon them with the garison, and rescued him, perceiuing that he was a Romane.

²⁸ And when I would haue knowen the cause, wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their Council.

²⁹ There I perceiued that hee was accused of questions of their Lawe, but had no crime worthy of death, or of bondes.

³⁰ And when it was shewed me, how that the Iewes layd waite for the man, I sent him straightway to thee, and commanded his accusers to speake before thee the thinges that they had against him. Farewell.

³¹ Then the souldiers as it was commanded them, tooke Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

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 inquire 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 inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

²¹ But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them moe 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 Cesarea, 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.

⁹ And there arose a great clamor; and scribes of the party of the Pharisees arose, and contended, saying, We find nothing amiss in this man; but if a spirit hath spoken to him or an angel—

¹⁰ And a great dissension arising, the chief captain, fearing 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 castle.

¹¹ And the night following, the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good courage; for as thou hast borne witness concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

¹² And when it was day, 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 there were more than forty who took this oath together.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore do ye with the council give notice to the chief captain, that he bring him down to you, as though ye were about to examine his case more thoroughly; and we are ready to kill him before he cometh near you.

¹⁶ But Paul's sister's son hearing of the plot went, and entering the castle, told Paul.

¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions to him, and said, Take this young man to the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to thee, as he hath something to say to thee.

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

²⁰ And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow into the council, as though thou wert about to inquire more thoroughly concerning him.

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

²² The chief captain then dismissed the young man with the charge, Tell no one that thou hast disclosed these things to me.

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

²⁴ and provide beasts, whereon they may set Paul, and carry him safe to Felix the governor.

²⁵ And he wrote a letter after this manner:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias to the moss excellent governor Felix, greeting.

²⁷ This man was taken by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them; but I came upon them with the soldiery, and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And wishing to know the crime of which they accused him, I brought him down to their council;

²⁹ but I found him to be accused only on account of questions of their law, and to have nothing laid to his charge deserving death or bonds.

³⁰ And having been informed of a plot against the man, I sent him at once to thee, and directed his accusers also to bring their charges against him before thee.

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

⁹ So a great uproar ensued, and some of the Teachers of the Law belonging to the Pharisees' party stood up and hotly protested, “We find nothing whatever wrong in this man. Suppose a spirit did speak to him, or an angel...”

¹⁰ The 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.

¹¹ That 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.”

¹² In the morning some Jewish men combined together, and took an oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty in the plot;

¹⁴ and 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.

¹⁵ So 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.”

¹⁶ However, the son of Paul's sister, hearing of the plot, went to the Fort, and on being admitted, told Paul about it.

¹⁷ Paul 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.

¹⁸ The 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.”

¹⁹ The 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 enquiry into his case.

²¹ But 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.”

²² The commanding officer then dismissed the lad, cautioning him not to mention to anybody that he had given him that information.

²³ Then 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,

²⁴ and to have horses ready for Paul to ride, so that they might take him safely to Felix, the Governor.

²⁵ He also wrote a letter along these lines:

²⁶ ‘Claudius Lysias sends his compliments to His Excellency Felix the Governor.

²⁷ The man whom I send with this had been seized by some Jews, and was on the point of being killed by them, when I came upon them with the force under my command, and rescued him, as I learnt that he was a Roman citizen.

²⁸ Wanting to know exactly the ground of the charges they made against him, I brought him before their Council,

²⁹ when I found that their charges were connected with questions of their own Law, and that there was nothing alleged involving either death or imprisonment.

³⁰ Having, however, information of a plot against the man, which was about to be put into execution, I am sending him to you at once, and I have also directed his accusers to prosecute him before you.’

³¹ The soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took charge of Paul and conducted him by night to Antipatris;

⁹ So a great uproar ensued, and some of the Teachers of the Law belonging to the Pharisees' party stood up and hotly protested, “We find nothing whatever wrong in this man. Suppose a spirit did speak to him, or an angel...”

¹⁰ The 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.

¹¹ That 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.”

¹² In the morning some Jewish men combined together, and took an oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty in the plot;

¹⁴ and 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.

¹⁵ So 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.”

¹⁶ However, the son of Paul's sister, hearing of the plot, went to the Fort, and on being admitted, told Paul about it.

¹⁷ Paul 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.

¹⁸ The 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.”

¹⁹ The 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.

²¹ But 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.”

²² The commanding officer then dismissed the lad, cautioning him not to mention to anybody that he had given him that information.

²³ Then 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,

²⁴ and to have horses ready for Paul to ride, so that they might take him safely to Felix, the Governor.

²⁵ He also wrote a letter along these lines:

²⁶ ‘Claudius Lysias sends his compliments to His Excellency Felix the Governor.

²⁷ The man whom I send with this had been seized by some Jews, and was on the point of being killed by them, when I came upon them with the force under my command, and rescued him, as I learned that he was a Roman citizen.

²⁸ Wanting to know exactly the ground of the charges they made against him, I brought him before their Council,

²⁹ when I found that their charges were connected with questions of their own Law, and that there was nothing alleged involving either death or imprisonment.

³⁰ Having, however, information of a plot against the man, which was about to be put into execution, I am sending him to you at once, and I have also directed his accusers to prosecute him before you.’

³¹ The soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took charge of Paul and conducted him by night to Antipatris;

⁹ The council split into 2 mobs and started shouting at each other. Some of the teachers of the law were Pharisees. They stood up and said, “We reckon this man hasn’t done anything wrong. Maybe an angel or some other spirit talked to him. That’s all right.”

¹⁰ Then those 2 mobs argued with each other and got really wild, and the big boss of the soldiers thought, “They are going to tear Paul to bits.” So he told his soldiers, “Go and save Paul from those council men, and take him back to your big house.” So the soldiers did that.

¹¹ That night, Paul saw Jesus come and stand near him, and Jesus said to him, “Be brave, Paul. You told people here in Jerusalem about me, and you have to tell people in Rome about me, too.”

¹² The next morning some of those Jews met together secretly and thought about a way to kill Paul. Then they promised God, “We will not eat or drink anything until we kill Paul. If we break this promise and don’t kill Paul, then, God, you can kill us.”

¹³ There were more than 40 men in that mob.

¹⁴ They went to the leaders of the Jewish ceremonies and the other Jewish leaders and told them, “We promised God that we will not eat or drink anything until we kill Paul.

¹⁵ So we want you to go to the big boss of the soldiers and say to him, ‘The Jewish council wants to ask Paul some more questions. Can you bring him to our meeting place?’ But we will hide beside the road, and when they bring Paul along it we will jump up and kill him.”

¹⁶ But the son of Paul’s sister heard what those Jews were going to do, so he went into the big house of the soldiers and told Paul about it.

¹⁷ Then Paul called to one of the bosses of the soldiers and said, “Please take this young man to your big boss. He has some news to tell him.”

¹⁸ So that soldier took him to his big boss and said, “That prisoner, Paul, called me and asked me to take this young man to you. He has some news to tell you.”

¹⁹ The big boss held the young man’s hand and took him away from the other people, and then he asked him, “What is the news you have for me?”

²⁰ The young man said, “The Jewish leaders will ask you to take Paul to their council place tomorrow. They will tell you they want to ask him some more questions. But that is not true.

²¹ Don’t do what they will ask you to do. There are more than 40 men that will hide beside that road and wait for Paul to come along, so they can grab him and kill him. They even promised God that they will not eat or drink anything until they kill Paul. They are ready right now. They are just waiting for you to agree to do what they want.”

²² The big boss of the soldiers said to the young man, “You can go home now, but don’t tell anyone that you told me this news.”

²³ Then the big boss got 2 other bosses of soldiers and told them, “Get 200 soldiers ready to go north to Caesarea. And get ready 70 soldiers that ride horses to go there with you, and get another 200 soldiers ready, those soldiers that use spears, and they can go with you too. All of you have to be ready to leave at 9 o’clock tonight.

²⁴ And get horses for Paul to ride, and take him to Felix, the governor of this country. He is in the town called Caesarea. Make sure you keep Paul safe.”

²⁵ Then that big boss of the soldiers wrote a letter for them to take with them to that governor of the country. He wrote,

²⁶ “Dear Felix I am Claudius Lysias. I’m writing to your honour, Felix, the governor of this country. I hope you are good and happy.

²⁷ I’m sending this man, Paul, to you. Some Jews grabbed him and they were starting to kill him, but somebody told me that he is a Roman, so I got my soldiers and we saved him.

²⁸ Then I wanted to know about the bad thing those Jews blamed him for, so I took him to their Jewish council.

²⁹ I found out that they only blamed him for things in their Jewish law. He has not broken any of our Roman laws, so it is not right for us to kill him or put him in jail.

³⁰ And right now somebody told me that some Jews are secretly thinking about a way to kill Paul, so I’m sending him to you. I reckon you can judge him properly there. And I told the Jews that want to blame him, ‘Go and do that in the court at Caesarea.’” That is the letter that the big boss of the soldiers wrote.

³¹ So the soldiers did everything their big boss told them to do. They got Paul and took him with them that night, and they went to the town called Antipatris.

⁹ And ther arose a great crye and the Scribes which were of the Pharisayes parte arose and strove sayinge: we fynde none evyll in this man. Though a sprete or an angell hath apered to him let vs not stryve agaynst God.

¹⁰ And when ther arose greate debate the captayne fearynge lest Paul shuld have bene pluckt asondre of them commaunded the soudiers to goo doune and to take him from amonge them and to bringe him into the castle.

¹¹ The nyght folowyng God stode by him and sayde: Be of good cheare Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Ierusalem so must thou beare witnes at Rome.

¹² When daye was come certayne of the Iewes gaddered them selves to geder and made a vowe sayinge that they wolde nether eate nor drinke till they had killed Paul.

¹³ They were aboute .xl. which had made this conspiracion.

¹⁴ And they cam to the chefe prestes and elders and sayde: we have boude oure selves with a vowe that we will eate nothinge vntill we have slayne Paul.

¹⁵ Now therfore geve the knowlege to the vpper captayne and to the counsell that he bringe him forth vnto vs to morow as though we wolde knowe some thinge more perfectly of him. But we (or ever he come neare) are redy in the meane season to kill him.

¹⁶ When Pauls sisters sonne hearde of their layinge awayte he wet and entred into the castle and tolde Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul called one of the vnder captaynes vnto him and sayde: bringe this younge man vnto the hye captayne: for he hath a certayne thinge to shewe him.

¹⁸ And he toke him and sayd: Paul the presoner called me vnto him and prayed me to brige this youge man vnto the which hath a certayne matter to shewe the.

¹⁹ The hye captayne toke him by the hond and wet a parte with him out of the waye: and axed him: what hast thou to saye vnto me?

²⁰ And he sayd: the Iewes are determined to desyre the that thou woldest brynge forth Paul to morowe into the counsell as though they wolde enquyre somwhat of him more parfectly.

²¹ But folowe not their mindes: for ther lyein wayte for him of the moo then .xl. men which have boude the selves with a vowe that they will nether eate ner drinke till they have killed him. And now are they redy and loke for thy promes.

²² The vpper captayne let the yonge man departe and charged: se thou tell it out to no man that thou hast shewed these thinges to me.

²³ And he called vnto him two vnder captaynes sayinge: make redy two hondred soudiers to goo to Cesarea and horsmen threscore and ten and speare men two houndred at the thyrde houre of the nyght.

²⁴ And delyvre them beastes that they maye put Paul on and bringe him safe vnto Felix the hye debite

²⁵ and wrote a letter in this maner.

²⁶ Claudius Lisias vnto the most mighty rular Felix sendeth gretinges.

²⁷ This man was take of the Iewes and shuld have bene killed of them. Then cam I with soudiers and rescued him and perceaved that he was a Romayne.

²⁸ And when I wolde have knowen the cause wherfore they accused him I brought him forth into their consell.

²⁹ There perceaved I that he was accused of questions of their lawe: but was not giltye of eny thinge worthy of deeth or of bondes.

³⁰ Afterwarde when it was shewed me how that the Iewes layde wayte for the man I sent him strayght waye to the and gave commaundment to his accusars yf they had ought agaynst him to tell it vnto the: fare well.

³¹ Then the soudiers as it was commaunded the toke Paul and brought him by nyght to Antipatras.

⁹ So a large uproar occurred, and some of the scribes belonging to the Pharisees stood up and argued, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”

¹⁰ When there arose a great argument, the chief captain feared that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, so he commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among the council members, and bring him into the fortress.

¹¹ The following night the Lord stood beside him and said, “Do not be afraid, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”

¹² When it became day, some Jews formed a conspiracy and called a curse down upon themselves with an oath not to eat nor drink anything until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty men who formed this conspiracy.

¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have put ourselves under a great curse, to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

¹⁵ Now, therefore, let the council tell the chief captain to bring him down to you, as if you would decide his case more precisely. As for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes here.”

¹⁶ But Paul's sister's son heard that they were lying in wait, so he went and entered the fortress and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So the centurion took the young man and brought him to the chief captain and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”

¹⁹ The chief captain took him by the hand to a private place and asked him, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ The young man said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow to the council, as if they were going to ask more precisely about his case.

²¹ But do not give in to them, because there are more than forty men who are lying in wait for him. They have called a curse down on themselves, neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Even now they are ready, waiting for consent from you.”

²² So the chief captain let the young man go, after instructing him, “Tell no one that you have said these things to me.”

²³ Then he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen also, and two hundred spearmen. You will leave at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He also ordered them to provide animals which Paul could ride, and to take him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ Then he wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent Governor Felix, greetings.

²⁷ This man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with soldiers and rescued him, since I learned that he was a Roman citizen.

²⁸ I wanted to know why they accused him, so I took him down to their council.

²⁹ I learned that he was being accused about questions concerning their own law, but that there was no accusation against him that deserved death or imprisonment.

³⁰ Then it was made known to me that there was a plot against the man, so I immediately sent him to you, and instructed his accusers also to bring their charges against him in your presence. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers obeyed their orders. They took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ A great clamour arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from amongst them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to enquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learnt that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and contended, 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 would have been pulled in pieces by 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 concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear testimony 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 who 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 to you to-morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, before he shall come near, are ready to kill him.

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

¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions to him , and said, Bring this young man to 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 to him , and prayed me to bring this young man to thee, who hath something to say to 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 wouldst bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat concerning him more perfectly.

²¹ But do not thou yield to them: for there are of them who lie in wait for him more than forty men, who have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now they are 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 shown these things to me.

²³ And he called to him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

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

²⁵ And he wrote a letter after this manner:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, sendeth greeting.

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

²⁸ And when I would have known the cause for which 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 to me that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent forthwith 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.

⁹ A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Judeans banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Judeans have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Judeans, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Judeans lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ A great clamour arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”

¹⁰ When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from amongst them and bring him into the barracks.

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”

¹² When it was day, some of the Judeans banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

¹³ There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.

¹⁴ 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.

¹⁵ Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷ Paul summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸ So he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

²⁰ He said, “The Judeans have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to enquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

²¹ Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”

²² So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

²³ He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”

²⁴ He asked them to provide mounts, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.

²⁵ He wrote a letter like this:

²⁶ “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷ “This man was seized by the Judeans, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learnt that he was a Roman.

²⁸ Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.

²⁹ I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.

³⁰ When I was told that the Judeans lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

⁹ And a great cry was made. And some of the Pharisees rose up, and fought, saying, We find nothing of evil in this man; what if a spirit, either an angel, spake to him?

¹⁰ And when great dissension was made, the tribune dreaded, lest Paul should be drawn to pieces of them; and he commanded knights to go down, and to take or to ravish him from the middle of them, and to lead him into the castles.

¹¹ And in the night pursuing the Lord stood nigh to him, and said, Be thou steadfast; for as thou hast witnessed of me in Jerusalem, so it behooveth thee to witness also at Rome.

¹² And when the day was come, some of the Jews gathered them, and made a vow, and said, that they should neither eat, nor drink, till they slew Paul.

¹³ And there were more than forty men, that made this swearing together or conjuration.

¹⁴ And they went to the princes of priests, and elder men, and said, With devotion we have avowed, that we shall not taste anything, till we have slain Paul.

¹⁵ Now therefore make ye known to the tribune, with the council, that he bring him forth to you, as if ye should know something more certainly of him; and we be ready to slay him, before that he come nigh.

¹⁶ And when the son of Paul’s sister had heard the ambush or the treason, he came, and entered into the castles, and told to Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, Lead this young man to the tribune, for he hath something to show to him.

¹⁸ And he took him, and led to the tribune, and said, Paul, that is bound, prayed me to lead to thee this young man, that hath something to speak to thee.

¹⁹ And the tribune took his hand, and went with him asides half, and asked him, What thing is it, that thou hast to show to me?

²⁰ And he said, The Jews be accorded to pray thee, that tomorrow thou bring forth Paul into the council, as if they should inquire something more certainly of him.

²¹ But believe thou not to them; for more than forty men of them ambush him, which have avowed, that they shall neither eat nor drink, till they slay him; and now they be ready, abiding thy promise.

²² Therefore the tribune left the young man, and commanded, that he should speak to no man, that he had made these things known to him.

²³ And he called together two cen-turions, and he said to them, Make ye ready two hundred knights, that they go to Caesarea, and horsemen seventy, and spearmen two hundred, from the third hour of the night.

²⁴ And make ye ready an horse, for Paul to ride on, to lead him safe to Felix, the president. For the tribune dreaded, lest the Jews would take him by the way, and slay him, and afterward he might be challenged, as he had taken money.

²⁵ And He wrote to him an epistle, containing these things.

²⁶ Claudius Lysias to the best Felix, president, health.

²⁷ This man that was taken of the Jews, and began to be slain, I came upon them with mine host, and delivered him from them, when I knew that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And I would know the cause, which they putted against him; and I led him in to the council of them.

²⁹ And I found, that he was accused of questions of their law, but he had no crime worthy the death, either bonds.

³⁰ And when it was told me of the ambush, that they arrayed for him, or of the treasons, that they made ready to him, I sent him to thee, and I warned also the accusers, that they say at thee. Farewell.

³¹ And so the knights as they were commanded, took Paul, and led him by night into Antipatris.

⁹ And a great cry was made. And some of the Pharisees rose up, and fought, saying, We find nothing of evil in this man; what if a spirit, either an angel, spake to him?

¹⁰ And when great dissension was made, the tribune dreaded, lest Paul should be drawn to pieces of them; and he commanded knights to go down, and to take or to ravish him (away) from the middle of them, and to lead him into the castles. (And when great dissension was made, the commander feared, lest Paul should be drawn to pieces by them; and he commanded some soldiers to go down, and to snatch him from their midst, and to bring him into the fortress.)

¹¹ And in the night (pur)suing the Lord stood nigh to him, and said, Be thou steadfast; for as thou hast witnessed of me in Jerusalem, so it behooveth thee to witness also at Rome. (And on the following night the Lord stood near to him, and said, Be thou resolute; for as thou hast testified about me in Jerusalem, it behooveth thee to also testify about me in Rome.)

¹² And when the day was come, some of the Jews gathered them(selves), and made a vow, and said, that they should neither eat, nor drink, till they slew Paul.

¹³ And there were more than forty men, that made this swearing together or this conjuration. (And there were more than forty men, who formed this conspiracy.)

¹⁴ And they went to the princes of (the) priests, and elder men, (or And they went to the high priests, and the elders), and said, With devotion we have avowed us, that we shall not taste anything, till we have slain Paul.

¹⁵ Now therefore make ye known to the tribune (or And so make it known to the commander), with the council, that he bring him forth to you, as if ye should know something more certainly of him; and we (shall) be ready to slay him, before that he come nigh.

¹⁶ And when the son of Paul’s sister had heard (of) the ambush or the treason, he came, and entered into the castles (or into the fortress), and told to Paul.

¹⁷ And Paul called to him(self) one of the centurions, and said, Lead this young man to the tribune, for he hath something to show to him, (or Lead this young man to the commander, for he hath something to tell him).

¹⁸ And he took him, and led to the tribune, and said, Paul, that is bound, prayed me to lead to thee this young man, that hath something to speak to thee. (And he took him, and brought him to the commander, and said, Paul, who is bound, beseeched me to bring this young man to thee, for he hath something to say to thee.)

¹⁹ And the tribune took his hand, and went with him asides half, and asked him, What thing is it, that thou hast to show to me? (And the commander took his hand, and drew him aside, and asked him, What is it, that thou hast to tell me?)

²⁰ And he said, The Jews be accorded to pray thee (or The Jews be in agreement to beseech thee), that tomorrow thou bring forth Paul into the council, as if they should inquire something more certainly of him.

²¹ But believe thou not to them; for more than forty men of them ambush him, which have avowed, that they shall neither eat nor drink, till they slay him; and now they be ready, abiding thy promise.

²² Therefore the tribune left the young man (or And so the commander let the young man go, or dismissed him), and commanded, that he should speak to no man, that he had made these things known to him.

²³ And he called together two centurions, and he said to them, Make ye ready two hundred knights, that they go to Caesarea, and horsemen seventy, and spearmen two hundred, from the third hour of the night. (And he called together two centurions, and he said to them, Make ready two hundred soldiers, so that they can go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at nine o’clock this evening.)

²⁴ And make ye ready an horse, for Paul to ride on, to lead him safe to Felix, the president. For the tribune dreaded, lest the Jews would take him by the way, and slay him, and afterward he might be challenged, as (if) he had taken money. (And prepare a horse, for Paul to ride on, and lead him safely to Governor Felix. Because the commander feared, that the Jews might take hold of him on the way, and kill him, and afterward he might be challenged, that he had received some money.)

²⁵ And He wrote to him an epistle, containing these things.

²⁶ Claudius Lysias to the best Felix, president, health. (Claudius Lysias to the most excellent Governor Felix, greetings and best wishes.)

²⁷ This man that was taken (hold) of (by) the Jews, and began to be slain, I came upon them with mine host (or I came upon them with my army), and delivered him from them, when I knew that he was a Roman.

²⁸ And I would know the cause, which they putted against him; and I led him in to the council of them (or and I brought him in to their Council).

²⁹ And I found, that he was accused of questions of their law, but he had no crime worthy (of) the death, either (of) bonds (or of bondage, or imprisonment).

³⁰ And when it was told me of the ambush, that they (had) arrayed for him, or And when it was told to me of the treasons, that they (had) made ready to him, I sent him to thee, and I warned also the accusers, that they say at thee, (or and I have told his accusers, that they must tell their charges to thee). Farewell.

³¹ And so the knights (or the soldiers) as they were commanded, took Paul, and led him by night into Antipatris.

⁹ And there came a great cry, and the scribes of the Pharisees' part having arisen, were striving, saying, 'No evil do we find in this man; and if a spirit spake to him, or a messenger, we may not fight against God;'

¹⁰ and a great dissension having come, the chief captain having been afraid lest Paul may be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiery, having gone down, to take him by force out of the midst of them, and to bring him to the castle.

¹¹ And on the following night, the Lord having stood by him, said, 'Take courage, Paul, for as thou didst fully testify the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so it behoveth thee also at Rome to testify.'

¹² And day having come, certain of the Jews having made a concourse, did anathematize themselves, saying neither to eat nor to drink till they may kill Paul;

¹³ and they were more than forty who made this conspiracy by oath,

¹⁴ who having come near to the chief priests and to the elders said, 'With an anathema we did anathematize ourselves — to taste nothing till we have killed Paul;

¹⁵ now, therefore, ye, signify ye to the chief captain, with the sanhedrim, that to-morrow he may bring him down unto you, as being about to know more exactly the things concerning him; and we, before his coming nigh, are ready to put him to death.'

¹⁶ And the son of Paul's sister having heard of the lying in wait, having gone and entered into the castle, told Paul,

¹⁷ and Paul having called near one of the centurions, said, 'This young man lead unto the chief captain, for he hath something to tell him.'

¹⁸ He indeed, then, having taken him, brought him unto the chief captain, and saith, 'The prisoner Paul, having called me near, asked me this young man to bring unto thee, having something to say to thee.'

¹⁹ And the chief captain having taken him by the hand, and having withdrawn by themselves, inquired, 'What is that which thou hast to tell me?'

²⁰ and he said — 'The Jews agreed to request thee, that to-morrow to the sanhedrim thou mayest bring down Paul, as being about to enquire something more exactly concerning him;

²¹ thou, therefore, mayest thou not yield to them, for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who did anathematize themselves — not to eat nor to drink till they kill him, and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from thee.'

²² The chief captain, then, indeed, let the young man go, having charged him to tell no one, 'that these things thou didst shew unto me;'

²³ and having called near a certain two of the centurions, he said, 'Make ready soldiers two hundred, that they may go on unto Caesarea, and horsemen seventy, and spearmen two hundred, from the third hour of the night;

²⁴ beasts also provide, that, having set Paul on, they may bring him safe unto Felix the governor;'

²⁵ he having written a letter after this description:

²⁶ 'Claudius Lysias, to the most noble governor Felix, hail:

²⁷ This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them — having come with the soldiery, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman;

²⁸ and, intending to know the cause for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their sanhedrim,

²⁹ whom I found accused concerning questions of their law, and having no accusation worthy of death or bonds;

³⁰ and a plot having been intimated to me against this man — about to be of the Jews — at once I sent unto thee, having given command also to the accusers to say the things against him before thee; be strong.'

³¹ Then, indeed, the soldiers according to that directed them, having taken up Paul, brought him through the night to Antipatris,