1 A nd Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

2 A nd the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

3 T hen said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

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 A nd they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 A nd Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.

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 B ut when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

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 A nd when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.

8 F or the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

9 A nd there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

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 A nd when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should 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 castle.

Now 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. The Plot Against Paul

11 A nd the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

12 A nd when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

And 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.

13 A nd they were more than forty that made this conspiracy.

Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.

14 A nd 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.

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 N ow therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.

Now 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.”

16 B ut Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

17 A nd Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”

18 S o he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee.

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 A nd the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?

Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20 A nd he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

And 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.

21 D o not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.

But 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.”

22 S o the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” Sent to Felix

23 A nd he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:

And 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;

24 a nd he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

25 A nd he wrote a letter after this form:

He wrote a letter in the following manner:

26 C laudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.

Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

27 T his man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

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 A nd desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:

And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.

29 w hom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.

30 A nd when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.

And 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.

31 S o the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 B ut on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.

33 a nd they, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.

34 A nd when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,

And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,

35 I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.

he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.