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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit. ... click to read full summary of this book.

Chapter 23

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And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And Paul, looking closely at the council, said, "Men and friends, I have always lived with a clear conscience before God up to this day."

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

The main priest, Ananias, told those near him to hit him in the mouth.

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Then Paul told him, "God will punish you, white wall. You sit in judgment of me according to the law but then order me to be punished against the law?"

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

And those around asked, Are you making fun of God's chief priest?

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Then Paul said, "I didn't know he was the high priest," because it's written, "Don't say bad things about the leader of your people."

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

But when Paul saw that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he said to the group, "I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee. I'm being asked about the hope and coming back to life of the dead."

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

Then, after he spoke, the Pharisees and Sadducees started arguing, and the large crowd was split apart.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

The Sadducees believe there's no resurrection, no angels or spirits. The Pharisees admit to both.

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

People started shouting loudly. The Pharisees' writers stood up and argued, saying they found nothing bad about this man. If a spirit or an angel has talked to him, we shouldn't oppose God.

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

When a big disagreement started, the top leader, worried that Paul might get hurt by them, ordered the soldiers to step in, grab Paul, and bring him to the fort.

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

The next night, the Lord was with Paul and told him to be brave. He said that because Paul spoke about him in Jerusalem, he would also need to speak about him in Rome.

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

At daytime, some Jews joined forces and swore an oath, promising not to eat or drink until they had murdered Paul.

And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

Forty or more people were part of this secret plan.

And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

They went to the leaders and said, "We promise not to eat until we kill Paul."

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

So now, tell the top officer that you want him to bring the person to you tomorrow. Act like you want to learn more about him. But before he gets close, we will be ready to kill him.

And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

When Paul's niece's son learned about them planning an ambush, he went to the fortress and informed Paul.

Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

Then Paul asked one of the soldiers to bring a young man to the commander, because he had something important to tell him.

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

So he brought the young man to the leader, and said, Paul asked me to bring him here because he wants to talk to you about something important.

Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

Then the leader grabbed his hand and led him away secretly, asking, "What do you want to tell me?"

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

He said, "The Jews want you to bring Paul to the council tomorrow so they can ask him more questions."

But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

But don't listen to them. They have 40 or more people waiting to attack him, who promised not to eat or drink until they kill him. They're prepared and waiting for you to give them a signal.

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

So the leader ordered the young man to leave and warned him, Don't tell anyone that you showed me these things.

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

He asked two centurions to prepare 200 soldiers, 37 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to leave for Caesarea at 9 PM.

And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

And give them some animals for transportation, so they can take Paul safely to Felix, the governor.

And he wrote a letter after this manner:

He composed a message like this:

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

Claudius Lysias sends his greetings to the excellent governor Felix.

This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

A Jewish group wanted to kill this man. I arrived with soldiers, saved him because he was a Roman.

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

When I wanted to find out why they blamed him, I took him to their meeting.

Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

I saw someone accused of questions according to their laws, but nothing serious like death or bonds was charged against them.

And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

When I heard that the Jews were planning to catch the man, I immediately informed you and ordered both him and his accusers to tell you their concerns about him. Goodbye.

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Then, following their orders, the soldiers captured Paul and transported him secretly to Antipatris at night.

On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

The next day, the horsemen joined him and went with him, then they all went back to the castle.

Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

When people arrived at Caesarea and gave the letter to the governor, they also showed Paul to him.

And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

When the governor finished reading the letter, he asked where the person was from. He found out that he was from Cilicia.

I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.

"He said he would listen to you when your accusers arrive as well," he replied. "He ordered that you be held in Herod's courtroom."

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