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Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

23 Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen.(A) 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and take him safely to Felix the governor.”(B) 25 He wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.(C) 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman, I came with the guard and rescued him.(D) 28 Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council.(E) 29 I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.(F) 30 When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”[a](G)

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(H) 33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.(I) 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia,(J) 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.[b](K)

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Footnotes

  1. 23.30 Other ancient authorities add Farewell
  2. 23.35 Gk praetorium

23 Then he summoned two centurions and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight,[a] along with 70 mounted soldiers and 200 soldiers with spears. 24 Provide a mount for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Governor Felix.” 25 He wrote a letter with this message:

26 “From:[b] Claudius Lysias

To: Governor Felix

Greetings, Your Excellency:

27 This man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I went with the guard and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 I wanted to know the exact charge they were making against him, so I had him brought before their Council.[c] 29 I found that, although he was charged with questions about their Law, there was no charge against him deserving death or imprisonment. 30 Since a plot against the man has been reported to me, I’m sending him to you at once, and I’ve also ordered his accusers to present their charges against him before you.”

31 So the soldiers, in keeping with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 The next day, they let the horsemen ride with Paul[d] while they returned to their barracks. 33 When these men[e] came to Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. 34 After reading the letter, the governor[f] asked which province Paul[g] was from. On learning that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered Paul[h] to be kept in custody in Herod’s palace.[i]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:23 Lit. from the third hour of the night
  2. Acts 23:26 The Gk. lacks From
  3. Acts 23:28 Or Sanhedrin
  4. Acts 23:32 Lit. him
  5. Acts 23:33 The Gk. lacks men
  6. Acts 23:34 Lit. letter, he
  7. Acts 23:34 Lit. Paul
  8. Acts 23:35 Lit. Paul
  9. Acts 23:35 Lit. praetorium