Acts 23:12-22

Legacy Standard Bible

A Plot to Kill Paul

¹² Now when it was day, ^(A)the Jews formed a ^[a]conspiracy and ^(B)bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ And there were more than forty who formed this scheme. ¹⁴ They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have ^(C)bound ourselves under a curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ So now you, along with ^(D)the Sanhedrin, notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more carefully; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near.”

¹⁶ But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, ^[b]he came and entered ^(E)the barracks and reported it to Paul. ¹⁷ And 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.” ¹⁸ So he took him and led him to the ^[c]commander and *said, “Paul ^(F)the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” ¹⁹ And the ^[d]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 Sanhedrin, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more carefully about him. ²¹ So do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of them—who have ^(I)bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him—are ^(J)lying in wait for him and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” ²² So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”