A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

¹² Now when day came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath (curse), saying that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty [men] who formed this plot [and swore this oath]. ¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath not to taste anything [neither food nor drink] until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ So now you, along with the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), notify the commander to bring Paul down to you, as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But we are ready to kill him before he comes near [the place].”

¹⁶ But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their [planned] ambush, and he went to the barracks and told Paul. ¹⁷ Then Paul, calling in one of the centurions, said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” ¹⁸ So he took him and led him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called for me 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 ask him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” ²⁰ And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tomorrow, as if they were going to interrogate him more thoroughly. ²¹ But do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him, and they have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Even now they are ready, just waiting for your promise.” ²² So the commander let the young man leave, instructing him, “Do not tell anyone that you have given me this information.”