Acts 23:11-22 - The Plot Against Paul

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 the Jews combined together, and took an oath that they would not eat or drink till they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty in the plot; ¹⁴ And they went to the Chief Priests and the Councillors, and said: "We have taken a solemn oath not to touch food till 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 "The Jews have agreed," answered the lad, "to ask you to bring Paul down before the Council to-morrow, 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, till they have made away with him; and they are at this very moment in readiness, counting upon your promise."

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