Paul before the Council

23 Now looking intently at (A)the [a]Council, Paul said, “[b](B)Brothers, (C)I have [c]lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.” But the high priest (D)Ananias commanded those standing beside him (E)to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, (F)you whitewashed wall! Do you (G)sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law, order me to be struck?” But those present said, “Are you insulting God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘(H)You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

But Paul, perceiving that one group were (I)Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in (J)the [d]Council, “[e](K)Brothers, (L)I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for (M)the hope and resurrection of the dead!” When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For (N)the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. And a great uproar occurred; and some of (O)the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “(P)We find nothing wrong with this man; (Q)suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into (R)the barracks.

11 But on (S)the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, (T)Be courageous! For (U)as you have (V)testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.”

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, (W)the Jews formed a [f]conspiracy and (X)put themselves under an [g]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 (Y)put ourselves under an [h]oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you [i]and (Z)the [j]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, [k]and he came and entered (AA)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 (AB)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, “(AC)The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to (AD)the [l]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not [m]listen to them, for more than forty [n]of them are (AE)in hiding to ambush him, and these men have (AF)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.”

Paul Moved to Caesarea

23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by [o]the third hour of the night to proceed to (AG)Caesarea, [p]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [q]spearmen.” 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to (AH)Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter [r]with the following content:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to the (AI)most excellent governor Felix: (AJ)Greetings.

27 When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, (AK)I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, (AL)after learning that he was a Roman. 28 And (AM)wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I (AN)brought him down to their [s](AO)Council; 29 and I found that he was being accused regarding (AP)questions in their Law, but [t]was (AQ)not charged with anything deserving death or [u]imprisonment.

30 When I was (AR)informed that there would be (AS)a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing (AT)his accusers to [v]bring charges against him before you.”

31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But on the next day they let (AU)the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to (AV)the barracks. 33 When these horsemen had come to (AW)Caesarea and delivered the letter to (AX)the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 Now when he had read it, he also asked from what (AY)province Paul was, and when he learned that (AZ)he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your (BA)accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for [w]Paul to be (BB)kept in Herod’s [x]Praetorium.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:1 Or Sanhedrin
  2. Acts 23:1 Lit Men, brothers
  3. Acts 23:1 Or conducted myself as a citizen
  4. Acts 23:6 Or Sanhedrin
  5. Acts 23:6 Lit Men, brothers
  6. Acts 23:12 Or mob
  7. Acts 23:12 I.e., an oath with a self-imposed curse
  8. Acts 23:14 See note 2 v 12
  9. Acts 23:15 Lit with
  10. Acts 23:15 Or Sanhedrin
  11. Acts 23:16 Or having been present with them, and he also entered
  12. Acts 23:20 Or Sanhedrin
  13. Acts 23:21 Lit be persuaded by them
  14. Acts 23:21 Lit men of them
  15. Acts 23:23 I.e., 9 p.m.
  16. Acts 23:23 Lit and
  17. Acts 23:23 Or slingers; or bowmen
  18. Acts 23:25 Or to this effect
  19. Acts 23:28 Or Sanhedrin
  20. Acts 23:29 Lit had no charge of
  21. Acts 23:29 Lit bonds
  22. Acts 23:30 Lit speak against him
  23. Acts 23:35 Lit him
  24. Acts 23:35 I.e., governor’s official residence

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin(A) and said, “My brothers,(B) I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience(C) to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias(D) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.(E) Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!(F) You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”(G)

Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’[a](H)

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees(I) and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers,(J) I am a Pharisee,(K) descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”(L) When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,(M) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees(N) stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,”(O) they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”(P) 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.(Q)

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!(R) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”(S)

The Plot to Kill Paul

12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy(T) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.(U) 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.(V) 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin(W) 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.”

16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(X) and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(Y) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(Z) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(AA) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(AB) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(AC) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[b] to go to Caesarea(AD) at nine tonight.(AE) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(AF)

25 He wrote a letter as follows:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency,(AG) Governor Felix:

Greetings.(AH)

27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(AI) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(AJ) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(AK) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(AL) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(AM) but there was no charge against him(AN) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(AO) of a plot(AP) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(AQ) to present to you their case against him.

31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(AR) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(AS) 33 When the cavalry(AT) arrived in Caesarea,(AU) they delivered the letter to the governor(AV) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(AW) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(AX) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(AY) in Herod’s palace.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:5 Exodus 22:28
  2. Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.

23 (A)Павел устреми поглед към синедриона и каза: мъже братя! Живял съм с най-добра съвест пред Бога до тоя ден.

А първосвещеник Анания заповяда на стоещите пред него да го ударят по устата.

(B)Тогава Павел му рече: Бог ще тебе да удари, стено варосана; ти седиш, за да ме съдиш по Закона, а против Закона заповядваш да ме бият.

А предстоещите рекоха: Божия първосвещеник ли хулиш?

(C)Павел отговори: не знаех, братя, че той е първосвещеник; защото писано е: „началника на твоя народ да не злословиш“.

(D)А когато узна Павел, че една част от тях са садукеи, а другата – фарисеи, извика в синедриона: мъже братя! Аз съм фарисеин, син на фарисеин; за надежда и за възкресение на мъртви ме съдят!

Като каза той това, настана разпра между фарисеи и садукеи, и множеството се раздвои.

(E)Защото садукеите казват, че няма възкресение, ни Ангел, ни дух; а фарисеите признават и едното и другото.

(F)Настана голяма врява; и станаха книжниците от фарисейската страна и се запрепираха, думайки: нищо лошо не намираме у тоя човек; ако пък е говорил нему дух или Ангел, да се не противим Богу.

10 И понеже стана голяма смутня, хилядникът, уплашен, да не би да разкъсат Павла, заповяда на войниците да слязат и да го грабнат измежду тях и отведат в стана.

11 (G)През нощта яви му се Господ и рече: дерзай, Павле! И както свидетелствува за Мене и Иерусалим, тъй трябва да свидетелствуваш и в Рим.

12 А когато се съмна, някои от иудеите направиха заговор, заклеха се и си рекоха да не ядат, ни да пият, докле не убият Павла.

13 Тия, които сториха това съзаклятие, бяха повече от четирийсет души.

14 Те дойдоха при първосвещениците и старейшините и рекоха; с клетва се заклехме нищо да не хапнем, докато не убием Павла.

15 Затова вие със синедриона явете сега на хилядника утре да го доведе долу пред вас, уж че искате да разгледате по-точно делото му; а ние, преди да наближи той, сме готови да го убием.

16 Като чу за тая засада, Павловият сестриник отиде, влезе в стана и обади на Павла.

17 А Павел повика един стотник и му рече: заведи тоя момък при хилядника, защото има да му обади нещо.

18 И той го взе, заведе го при хилядника и каза: затворникът Павел ме повика и помоли да доведа тоя момък при тебе, защото имал да ти каже нещо.

19 Хилядникът го хвана за ръка, оттегли се с него настрана и питаше: какво има да ми обадиш?

20 А той каза: иудеите се сговорили да те молят утре да отведеш долу Павла пред синедриона, уж че искат по-точно да разпитат нещо по делото му.

21 Ала ти не им вярвай; защото го причакват четирийсет и повече души от тях, които са се заклели да не ядат и да не пият, докле го не убият; и сега са готови, чакат само да им обещаеш.

22 Тогава хилядникът отпрати момъка, като му поръча: никому не казвай, че ми си обадил това.

23 След това повика двама стотника и рече: пригответе ми двеста пеши войници, седемдесет конници и двеста стрелци, които да тръгнат за Кесария от третия час нощес;

24 пригответе и добичета, за да качат на тях Павла и да го отведат безопасно до управителя Феликса.

25 Написа и писмо с това съдържание:

26 Клавдий Лисий достопочтеному управителю Феликсу праща поздрав.

27 (H)Тогова човека бяха хванали иудеите и щяха да го убият; аз се явих с войска и го отнех, понеже се научих, че е римски гражданин.

28 (I)И като исках да узная причината, поради която го обвиняваха, изведох го пред синедриона им

29 (J)и намерих, че го обвиняват по въпроси от техния закон, но че няма никаква вина, за която той би заслужил смърт или окови.

30 И понеже ми бе обадено, че иудеите замислят лошо против тоя човек, аз го пратих веднага при тебе, като заръчах и на обвинителите да кажат пред тебе, каквото имат против него. Здравей!

31 И тъй, войниците, според както им бе заповядано, взеха Павла и го отведоха нощя в Антипатрида.

32 А на другия ден се върнаха в стана, като оставиха конниците да идат с него.

33 Тия, като влязоха в Кесария и предадоха на управителя писмото, представиха му и Павла.

34 Управителят прочете писмото и попита, от коя област е той и, като узна, че е от Киликия, рече:

35 (K)ще те изслушам, кога дойдат и твоите обвинители. И заповяда да го държат под стража в преторията Иродова.

23 Paul stared at the Jewish council and said, “Brothers, my relationship with God has always given me a perfectly clear conscience.”

The chief priest Ananias ordered the men standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you hypocrite! You sit there and judge me by Moses’ Teachings and yet you break those teachings by ordering these men to strike me!”

The men standing near Paul said to him, “You’re insulting God’s chief priest!”

Paul answered, “Brothers, I didn’t know that he is the chief priest. After all, Scripture says, ‘Don’t speak evil about a ruler of your people.’ ”

When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the council, “Brothers, I’m a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I’m on trial because I expect that the dead will come back to life.”

After Paul said that, the Pharisees and Sadducees began to quarrel, and the men in the meeting were divided. (The Sadducees say that the dead won’t come back to life and that angels and spirits don’t exist. The Pharisees believe in all these things.) The shouting became very loud. Some of the experts in Moses’ Teachings were Pharisees who argued their position forcefully. They said, “We don’t find anything wrong with this man. Maybe a spirit or an angel actually spoke to him!”

10 The quarrel was becoming violent, and the officer was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So the officer ordered his soldiers to drag Paul back to the barracks.

11 The Lord stood near Paul the next night and said to him, “Don’t lose your courage! You’ve told the truth about me in Jerusalem. Now you must tell the truth about me in Rome.”

Some Jews Plot to Kill Paul

12 In the morning the Jews formed a conspiracy. They asked God to curse them if they ate or drank anything before they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men took part in this plot.

14 They went to the chief priests and leaders ⌞of the people⌟ and said, “We’ve asked God to curse us if we taste any food before we’ve killed Paul. 15 Here’s our plan: You and the council must go to the Roman officer on the pretext that you need more information from Paul. You have to make it look as though you want to get more accurate information about him. We’ll be ready to kill him before he gets to you.”

16 But Paul’s nephew heard about the ambush. He entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the sergeants and told him, “Take this young man to the officer. He has something to tell him.”

18 The sergeant took the young man to the officer and said, “The prisoner Paul called me. He asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The officer took the young man by the arm, went where they could be alone, and asked him, “What do you have to tell me?”

20 The young man answered, “The Jews have planned to ask you to bring Paul to the Jewish council tomorrow. They’re going to make it look as though they want more accurate information about him. 21 Don’t let them persuade you to do this. More than forty of them are planning to ambush him. They have asked God to curse them if they eat or drink anything before they have murdered him. They are ready now and are expecting you to promise ⌞that you will bring Paul⌟.”

22 The officer dismissed the young man and ordered him not to tell this information to anyone else.

23 Then the officer summoned two of his sergeants and told them, “I want 200 infantrymen, 70 soldiers on horseback, and 200 soldiers with spears. Have them ready to go to Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. 24 Provide an animal for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Governor Felix.” 25 The officer wrote a letter to the governor with the following message:

26 Claudius Lysias sends greetings to Your Excellency, Governor Felix:

27 The Jews had seized this man and were going to murder him. When I found out that he was a Roman citizen, I went with my soldiers to rescue him. 28 I wanted to know what they had against him. So I took him to their Jewish council 29 and found their accusations had to do with disputes about their own laws. He wasn’t accused of anything for which he deserved to die or to be put into prison. 30 Since I was informed that there was a plot against this man, I immediately sent him to you. I have also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in front of you.

31 So the infantrymen did as they had been ordered. They took Paul to the city of Antipatris during the night. 32 They returned to their barracks the next day and let the soldiers on horseback travel with Paul. 33 When the soldiers arrived in the city of Caesarea with Paul, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.

34 After the governor had read the letter, he asked Paul which province he was from. When he found out that Paul was from the province of Cilicia, 35 he said, “I’ll hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then the governor gave orders to keep Paul under guard in Herod’s palace.