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- And 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.
- And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
- And 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.
- Now 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.
- And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
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- The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
- More than forty men were involved in this plot.
- They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
- Now 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."
- But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
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- Then 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.
- So 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.
- Then 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?
- And 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.
- But 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.
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- Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him."
- So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you."
- The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?"
- He said: "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.
- Don'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."
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- So 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.
- And 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;
- And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
- And he wrote a letter after this manner:
- Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
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- The commander dismissed the young man and cautioned him, "Don't tell anyone that you have reported this to me."
- Then 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.
- Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix."
- He wrote a letter as follows:
- Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
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- This 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.
- And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
- Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
- And 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.
- Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
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- This 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.
- I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.
- I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.
- When 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.
- So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris.
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- On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
- Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
- And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
- I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
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- The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.
- When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.
- The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,
- he said, "I will hear your case when your accusers get here." Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace.
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