Acts 23:12-22

New American Standard Bible

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

¹² When it was day, ^(A)the Jews formed a ^[a]conspiracy and ^(B)put themselves under an ^[b]oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty who formed this plot. ¹⁴ They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have ^(C)put ourselves under an ^[c]oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now therefore, you ^[d]and ^(D)the ^[e]Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly; and as for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes near the place.”

¹⁶ But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, ^[f]and he came and entered ^(E)the barracks and told Paul. ¹⁷ Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” ¹⁸ So he took him and led him to the commander and *said, “Paul ^(F)the prisoner called me over to him and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” ¹⁹ 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?” ²⁰ And he said, “^(G)The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to ^(H)the ^[g]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. ²¹ So do not ^[h]listen to them, for more than forty ^[i]of them are ^(I)in hiding to ambush him, and these men have ^(J)put themselves under an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him; and now they are ready and waiting for assurance from you.” ²² Then the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”