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- When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
- There were more than forty who formed this plot.
- They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
- "Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place."
- But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks 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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- Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him."
- So he took him and led him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you."
- The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, "What is it that you have to report to me?"
- And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him.
- "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you."
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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 commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things."
- And he called to him two of the centurions and said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen."
- They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
- And he wrote a letter having this form:
- "Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.
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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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- "When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
- "And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council;
- and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment.
- "When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you."
- So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, 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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- But the next day, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks.
- When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
- When he had read it, he asked from what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
- he said, "I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also," giving orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
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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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