Acts 23:9-34
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 23
9And a great uproar occurred; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, 'We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?' 10And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
12When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and put themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
13There were more than forty who formed this plot.
14They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, 'We have put ourselves under an oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
15Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly; and as for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes near the place.'
16But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, 'Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.'
18So he took him and led him to the commander and *said, 'Paul the prisoner called me over to him and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.'
19The commander took him by the hand, and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, 'What is it that you have to report to me?'
20And he said, 'The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.
21So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are in hiding to ambush him, and these men have put themselves under an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him; and now they are ready and waiting for assurance from you.'
22Then the commander let the young man go, instructing him, 'Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.'
23And he called to him two of the centurions and said, 'Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen.'
24They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
25And he wrote a letter with the following content:
27When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, after learning that he was a Roman.
28And wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I brought him down to their Council;
29and I found that he was being accused regarding questions in their Law, but was not charged with anything deserving death or imprisonment.
31So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32But on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to the barracks.
33When these horsemen had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34Now when he had read it, he also asked from what province Paul was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
King James Version
Chapter 23
9And 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. 10And 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.
12And 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.
13And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14And 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.
15Now 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.
16And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
17Then 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.
18So 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.
19Then 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?
20And 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.
21But 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.
22So 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.
23And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27This 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.
28And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30And 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.
32On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
Christian Standard Bible
10When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.
11The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, "Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome."
12When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13There were more than forty who had formed this plot.
14These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul.
15So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him."
16But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul.
17Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him."
20"The Jews," he said, "have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him.
21Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than forty of them lying in ambush—men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, waiting for your consent."
23He summoned two of his centurions and said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.
24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor."
27When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.
28Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin.
29I found out that the accusations were concerning questions of their law, and that there was no charge that merited death or imprisonment.
30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence.
31So the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered.
32The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him.
33When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34After he read it, he asked what province he was from. When he learned he was from Cilicia,
New Living Translation
Chapter 23
9So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. 'We see nothing wrong with him,' they shouted. 'Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.' 10As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.
12The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy.
14They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, 'We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.'
16But Paul’s nephew — his sister’s son — heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.
17Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, 'Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.'
20Paul’s nephew told him, 'Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information.
21But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.'
23Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, 'Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops.
24Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.'
25Then he wrote this letter to the governor:
27'This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety.
28Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him.
29I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law — certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death.
30But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.'
31So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris.
32They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea.
33When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix.
34He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. 'Cilicia,' Paul answered.
English Standard Version
Chapter 23
9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees ' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" 10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
12When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.
14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
15Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
16Now the son of Paul 's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."
18So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you."
19The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
20And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.
21But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent."
22So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."
23Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.
24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor."
25And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26"Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
27This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.
28And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.
29I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
30And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him."
31So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.
33When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.
34On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
New International Version
Chapter 23
9There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 10The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.
12The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13More than forty men were involved in this plot.
14They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
15Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here."
20He said: "Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.
21Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request."
23Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, "Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.
24Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix."
27This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.
28I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.
29I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.
30When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.
31So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris.
32The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.
33When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.
34The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,
New King James Version
12And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14They 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.
15Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
18So 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.”
20And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
21But do not yield to 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.”
23And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;
24and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26Claudius 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.
29I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
30And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.
31Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.
33When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,
