Acts 23

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1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said: Men, brethren! I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, God shall strike you, you whitewashed wall! you sit to judge me according to the law, and contrary to the law, will you have to beat me.
4 That stood by said: revile God's high priest?
5 Paul said: I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written: the ruler of thy people, do not curse.

6 But when Paul perceived that [here] one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council: Men, brethren! I am a Pharisee, son of Pharisees; for the hope and resurrection of the dead I am.
7 When he had said this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9 A great cry; and rose up, and the scribes of the Pharisees party contended, saying: Nothing evil we find in this man; if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 But dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest they rend Paul, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him from among them and bring him into the castle.
eleven The following night the Lord stood by him, said: Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

12 When it was day, the Jews banded together, and took an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13 There were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 They went to the chief priests and elders, said, We have to swear an oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
15 Now therefore ye with the council let me know captain that he bring him down to you, as though you would inquire something more about it; and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him.
16 Heard of their lying in wait, the son of Paul's sister came and entered into the castle, Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions, said: Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.
18 So he took him and brought him to the chief captain and said, Paul the prisoner called me and asked me this young man to you, who has something to tell you.
19 The commander took him by the hand, and went with him aside, asked, what do you say?
20 He said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow to the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him.
21 But you did not listen to them; because it lurk more than forty men of them, who took an oath not to eat or drink till they have killed him; They are ready now, waiting for your orders.
22 Then the chief captain let the young man, saying: do not tell anyone you told me this.
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready soldiers [on foot] two hundred and seventy horsemen and two hundred archers, at the third hour of the night went to Caesarea.
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul, transmit it to the governor Felix.
25 And he wrote the following letter:
26 `Claudius Lysias Governor Felix - rejoice.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and about to be killed; I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.
28 Then, wanting to know what accused him, I brought him down to their council
29 and I found that he was accused of questions of their law, but there is in it no cause of death or imprisonment.
thirty What occurred to me that a plot against the man, I immediately sent him to you, and commanding the accusers to speak against him before you. Be healthy'.
31 So the soldiers, [this] their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 And the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, returned to the barracks.
33 And they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 The governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was, and learned that from Cilicia, he said:
35 I will hear you when your accusers arrive. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

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