1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today."

2 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! Do you sit to judge me according to the Torah, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?"

4 Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God’s high priest?"

5 Paul said, "I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’" 6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"

7 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 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 animals, 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. 32 But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, 35 "I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive." He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.

1 And Paul, looking attentively on the Sanhedrim, said, Brethren, I have, even to this day, lived in all good conscience toward God-2 And Ananias, the high priest, commanded those that stood by him, to strike him on the mouth.3 Then Paul said to him, God is about to strike you, you whited wall! For do you sit to judge me according to the law, and yet, in violation of the law, command me to be struck?4 But they, that stood by, said, Do you revile the high priest of God?5 «And Paul said, Brethren, I was not aware that it was the high priest; for it is written,» 'You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.'6 Then Paul, perceiving that the one part was Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out, in the Sanhedrim, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; for the hope and resurrection of the dead, I am brought into judgment.7 And on speaking this, there was a contention between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the multitude was divided.8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.9 And there was a great clamor; and the scribes who were on the side of the Pharisees, arose and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit, or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.10 And as a great disturbance arose, the commander, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, ordered the soldiers to go down, and take him by force from the midst of them, and to bring him into the castle.11 And in the following night, the Lord, standing by him, said, Be of good courage, Paul; for as you have testified the things concerning me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear testimony in Rome.12 And when it was day, some of the Jews, entering into a conspiracy, bound themselves with a curse; saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.13 And they were more than forty, who had made this agreement.14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves m by a solemn anathema, not to taste anything till we have slain Paul:15 now, therefore, do you, with the Sanhedrim, signify to the commander, that he bring him down to you, as if you would more accurately discuss what relates to him; and we are ready to kill him, before he can come near you.16 But Paul's sister's son, hearing of the ambush, came, and entering into the castle, told Paul.17 And Paul, calling one of the centurions to him, said, Conduct this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.18 He, therefore, took and led him to the commander, and said, Paul, the prisoner, calling me to him, desired that I would bring to you this young man, who has something to tell you.19 And the commander, taking him by the hand, and leading him into a retired place, inquired of him, What is it that you have to tell me?20 And he said, The Jews have agreed together to ask you, that you bring down Paul to-morrow to the Sanhedrim, as if they would inquire something more accurately concerning him.21 But do not be prevailed on by them; for there are more than forty of them, that lie in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by a curse, neither to eat nor drink, till they have killed him; and they are now ready, expecting this promise from you.22 The commander, therefore, dismissed the young man, with a charge, Be sure you tell no man, that you have discovered these things to me.23 And he called too him two of the centurions, and said, Prepare two hundred soldiers, to go to Caesarea; and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen; by the third hour of the night;24 and provide beasts to set Paul upon, and conduct him in safety to Felix, the governor.25 And he wrote an epistle, the contents of which are in this copy:26 Claudius Lysias, to his excellency, Felix, the governor, sends greeting:27 This man was seized by the Jews, and had like to have been slain by them; when I came with a party of soldiers, and rescued him: and I have since learned, that he is a Roman.28 And, desiring to know the crime of which they accused him, I brought him before the Sanhedrim,29 whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, but to have nothing charged upon him worthy of death, or of bonds.30 But when it was signified to me, that an ambush would be laid for the man, by the Jews, I immediately sent him to you, commanding his accusers also to declare before you, what they have against him. Farewell.31 The soldiers, therefore, as it was commanded them, taking up Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.32 And the next day they returned to the castle, leaving the horsemen to go with him:33 who, entering into Caesarea, and delivering the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.34 And when he had read the letter, he asked of what province he was: and being informed that he was of Cilicia,35 I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's praetorium.