1 E Paulo, olhando atentamente para o conselho, disse: Homens e irmãos, tenho vivido com toda a boa consciência diante de Deus até o dia de hoje.2 Mas o sumo sacerdote Ananias ordenou aos que estavam junto dele que o ferissem na boca.3 Então, Paulo lhe disse: Deus te ferirá, parede caiada. Tu estás assentado para julgar-me conforme a lei, e contra a lei mandas ferir-me?4 E os que estavam de pé, disseram: Insultas o sumo sacerdote de Deus?5 E Paulo disse: Eu não sabia irmãos, que ele era o sumo sacerdote; porque está escrito: Tu não falarás mal do governante do teu povo.6 Mas Paulo, percebendo que uma parte era de saduceus, e outra de fariseus, ele clamou no conselho: Homens e irmãos, eu sou fariseu, filho de fariseu. Acerca da esperança e ressurreição dos mortos sou chamado em questão.7 E, tendo dito isto, houve uma discórdia entre os fariseus e saduceus; e a multidão se dividiu.8 Porque os saduceus dizem que não há ressurreição, nem anjo, nem espírito; mas os fariseus confessam essas coisas.9 E houve um grande clamor; e, levantando-se os escribas que eram da parte dos fariseus, contendiam, dizendo: Não encontramos nenhum mal neste homem, mas se algum espírito ou anjo falou com ele, não lutemos contra Deus.10 E quando surgiu uma grande discórdia, o tribuno temendo que Paulo fosse por eles despedaçado, ordenou que os soldados descessem, para que o tirassem à força do meio deles e o trouxessem para a fortaleza.11 E, na noite seguinte, o Senhor estava ao seu lado, e disse: Tem ânimo, Paulo. Pois como testificaste de mim em Jerusalém, assim é preciso que também testifiques em Roma.12 Quando amanheceu, os judeus se reuniram, e sob maldição, juraram dizendo que não comeriam nem beberiam até que matassem a Paulo.13 E eram mais de quarenta os que fizeram esta conspiração.14 E eles foram até os principais dos sacerdotes e anciãos e disseram: Havemo-nos jurado debaixo de maldição que não comeremos nada até que matemos a Paulo.15 Agora pois vós, com o conselho, rogai ao tribuno que o traga a vós amanhã, como que querendo saber mais alguma coisa sobre ele, e, antes que chegue, estaremos prontos para assassiná-lo.16 E o filho da irmã de Paulo, tendo ouvido da emboscada, foi, e entrou na fortaleza, e contou a Paulo.17 Então, Paulo chamando um dos centuriões até ele, disse: Conduz este jovem até ao tribuno, porque ele tem uma certa coisa para lhe contar.18 Tomando-o pois, o levou ao tribuno e disse: O preso Paulo, chamando-me a si, me rogou que trouxesse este jovem a ti, que tem alguma coisa para dizer-te.19 E o tribuno, tomando-o pela mão e levando-o consigo à parte, perguntou-lhe em particular: O que tu tens para me contar?20 E ele disse: Os Judeus concordaram em pedir-te que amanhã leves a Paulo para o conselho, como se quisessem perguntar algo mais estritamente a seu respeito.21 Mas não te deixes convencer por eles, porque mais de quarenta homens o espreitam, pois eles juraram debaixo de maldição não comerem nem beberem até que o matem, e agora estão preparados, esperando a tua confirmação.22 Então, o tribuno despediu o jovem, ordenando-lhe que a nenhum homem dissesse que lhe havia contado aquelas coisas.23 E, chamando até ele dois centuriões, lhes disse: Preparai duzentos soldados para irem até Cesareia, e setenta cavaleiros, e duzentos lanceiros; na terceira hora da noite;24 e providenciai animais para Paulo montar neles, para o levarem em segurança ao governador Félix.25 E ele escreveu uma carta desta maneira:26 Cláudio Lísias, ao excelentíssimo governador Félix, saudações!27 Este homem foi tomado pelos judeus; e estando prestes a ser morto por eles, sobrevim com a tropa, e o resgatei, tendo entendido que ele era romano.28 E eu querendo saber a causa pela qual o acusavam, o levei ao conselho deles;29 e percebi que ele era acusado por questões da lei deles, mas não tinha nenhuma acusação digna de morte ou prisão.30 E, havendo-me informado que havia um complô contra esse homem, imediatamente enviei-o a ti, ordenando também a seus acusadores que falem contra ele diante de ti. Adeus.31 Então, os soldados, como lhes fora mandado, tomaram Paulo, e o levaram de noite a Antipátride.32 No dia seguinte, deixando os cavaleiros irem com ele, retornaram para a fortaleza;33 os quais, entrando em Cesareia, e entregando a carta ao governador, apresentaram-lhe também a Paulo.34 E o governador lendo a carta, perguntou de que província ele era, e, quando soube que ele era da Cilícia,35 disse: Eu te ouvirei quando vierem também os teus acusadores. E ele ordenou que o guardassem no pretório de Herodes.

1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.3 Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the Law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the Law?4 And those who stood by said, Do you revile God’s high priest?5 Then Paul said, I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the multitude was divided.8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection; and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, 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 there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good courage, Paul; for as you have testified of Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.12 And when it was day, some of the Jews made a pact and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they should kill Paul.13 And there were more than forty who made this conspiracy.14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, communicate to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make more specific inquiries concerning him; and we are ready to kill him before he comes near.16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.18 So he took him and brought him to the commander 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 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside and asked privately, What is it that you have to tell me?20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to make more specific inquiries about him.21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, Tell no one that you have disclosed these things to me.23 And he summoned two centurions, saying, 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, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.25 And he wrote a letter in the following manner: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. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or bonds.30 And when it was disclosed to me that the Jews were about to carry out a plot against the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,35 he said, I will fully hear you when your accusers also have come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.