Acts 23

CLV^{(i) 1} Now looking intently at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Men! Brethren! I, in all good conscience, have used my citizenship for God until this day." ² Now the chief priest Ananias enjoins those standing beside him to beat his mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, "God is about to beat you, whitewashed wall! And you are sitting to judge me according to the law, and illegally are you ordering me to be beaten!" ⁴ Now those standing by say, "The chief priest of God are you reviling!" ⁵ And Paul averred, "I was not aware, brethren, that he is chief priest. For it is written that, 'Of your people's chief you shall not be declaring evil.'" ⁶ Now Paul, knowing that the one party is of Sadducees, yet the other of Pharisees, cries in the Sanhedrin, "Men! Brethren! A Pharisee, son of Pharisees am I. Concerning the expectation and resurrection of the dead am I being judged." ⁷ Now at his saying this, there came to be a commotion of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude is rent." ⁸ For Sadducees, indeed, are saying there is no resurrection, nor messenger, nor spirit; yet Pharisees are avowing both." ⁹ Now a great clamor occurred, and, rising, some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees fought it out with one another, saying, "Nothing evil are we finding in this man. Now if a spirit or messenger speaks to him - " ¹⁰ Yet, much commotion occurring, being afraid, the captain, so Paul should not be pulled to pieces by them, orders the troop to descend and snatch him out their midst, besides, to lead him into the citadel." ¹¹ Now the ensuing night, standing by him, the Lord said, "Courage! For as you certify to that which concerns Me in Jerusalem, thus you must testify in Rome also." ¹² Now, day coming on, making a conspiracy, the Jews anathematize themselves, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they should kill Paul." ¹³ Now there were more than forty who make this cabal, ¹⁴ who, coming to the chief priests and the elders, say, "With an anathema we anathematize ourselves to taste nothing till we should kill Paul." ¹⁵ Now then, you inform the captain together with the Sanhedrin, so that he may be leading him down to you, as being about to investigate more exactly that which concerns him; yet we, before he draws near, are ready to assassinate him." ¹⁶ Now the son of Paul's sister, hearing of the ambush, coming along and entering into the citadel, reports it to Paul." ¹⁷ Now Paul, calling one of the centurions to him, averred, "Lead this young man away to the captain, for he has something to report to him." ¹⁸ He, indeed, then, taking him along, led him to the captain, and is averring, "The prisoner, Paul, calling me to him, asks me to lead this youth to you, who has something to speak to you." ¹⁹ Now the captain, taking hold of his hand, and retiring privately, inquired to ascertain, "What is it that you have to report to me? ²⁰ Now he said that "The Jews agreed to ask you, so that you may lead Paul down tomorrow into the Sanhedrin, as being about to ascertain somewhat more exactly concerning him." ²¹ You, then, should not be persuaded by them, for there are ambushing for him more than forty of their men, who anathematize themselves neither to eat nor drink till they may be assassinating him. And now they are ready, anticipating the promise from you." ²² Indeed, then, the captain dismisses the youth, charging him, "To no one speak out that you disclose these things to me." ²³ And calling a certain two of the centurions to him, he said, "Make ready two hundred soldiers, so that they may go as far as Caesarea, and seventy cavalry, and two hundred slingers, from the third hour of the night." ²⁴ Besides, present beasts that, mounting Paul, they should be bringing him safely through to Felix, the governor." ²⁵ He writes a letter having this model: ²⁶ Claudius Lysias, to the most mighty governor Felix. Rejoice!" ²⁷ This man, being apprehended by the Jews, and being about to be assassinated by them, standing by with the troop, I extricate, learning that he is a Roman." ²⁸ Besides, intending to get to know the charge because of which they indicted him, I led him down into their Sanhedrin." ²⁹ Him I found being indicted concerning questions of their law, yet having nothing deserving death or bonds in the indictment." ³⁰ Now at its being divulged to me that there will be a plot against the man, forthwith I send him to you, charging the accusers also to speak against him before you. Farewell." ³¹ The soldiers, indeed, then, according to that which has been prescribed to them, taking up Paul, led him through the night to Antipatris." ³² Now on the morrow, they return into the citadel, leaving the cavalry to come away with him, ³³ who, entering into Caesarea and giving up the letter to the governor, present Paul also to him." ³⁴ Now, reading it, and inquiring of what prefecture he is, and ascertaining that he is from Cilicia, ³⁵ I shall give you a hearing,he averred, "whenever your accusers also may be coming along,ordering him to be guarded in Herod's pretorium."