Acts 23:11-22 - The Plot Against Paul

¹¹ And the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, Take courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou also testify at Rome.

¹² And it being day, certain of the Jews having made a condition, anathematized themselves, saying, neither to eat or drink till they kill Paul. ¹³ And there were more than forty having made this conspiracy. ¹⁴ Who having come to the chief priests and elders, said, By an anathema, we anathematized ourselves, to taste of nothing till we kill Paul. ¹⁵ Now therefore do ye exhibit to the captain of a thousand, with the council, so that to-morrow he might bring him down to you, as about to examine more accurately the things concerning him: and we, before he draws near, are ready to kill him.

¹⁶ And Paul's sister's son having heard of the ambuscade, having approached, and come into the camp, announced to Paul. ¹⁷ And Paul having called one of the centurions, said, Bring this young man to the captain of a thousand; for he has something to announce to him.

¹⁸ Then truly having taken him, he brought to the captain of a thousand, and says, Paul, the bound, having called me, asked to bring this young man to thee, having something to say to thee.

¹⁹ The captain of a thousand, having taken his hand, and having withdrawn in private, inquired, What is it which thou hast to announce to me?

²⁰ And he said, That the Jews agreed together to ask thee, so that to-morrow thou mightest bring down Paul to the council, as about to inquire something more accurately about him. ²¹ Therefore thou shouldest not be persuaded by them: for more than forty men of them lie in wait for him, who anathematized themselves, neither to eat or drink till they should kill him: and now are they prepared, expecting a promise from thee.

²² Truly then the captain of a thousand discharged the young man, having enjoined him, Tell none that thou hast shown these things to me.