²⁴ They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot.

¹⁹ I was like a lamb being led to the slaughter. I had no idea that they were planning to kill me! “Let’s destroy this man and all his words,” they said. “Let’s cut him down, so his name will be forgotten forever.”

²⁰ Come down whenever you’re ready, O king, and we will catch him and hand him over to you!”

²¹ “The Lord bless you,” Saul said. “At last someone is concerned about me! ²² Go and check again to be sure of where he is staying and who has seen him there, for I know that he is very crafty. ²³ Discover his hiding places, and come back when you are sure. Then I’ll go with you. And if he is in the area at all, I’ll track him down, even if I have to search every hiding place in Judah!”

³ They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).

¹⁶ But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.

⁴ plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.