Berean Study Bible

English Standard Version

1Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

1And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

2At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

3Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”

3Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

4But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

4Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?”

5“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’ ”

5And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

7As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

8For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection, nor angels, nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

9A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”

9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”

10The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.

10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”

11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

12When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

12When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13More than forty of them were involved in this plot.

13There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.

14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

15Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.”

15Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

16Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

17Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

17Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”

18So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

18So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”

19The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”

19The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

20He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

20And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

21Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

21But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”

22So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

22So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

23Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.

23Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.

24Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”

24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

25And he wrote the following letter:

25And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

26“Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.

27This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

27This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

28and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

28And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.

29I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

29I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.

30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.

30And when it was disclosed to me 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.”

31So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.

31So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32The next day they returned to the barracks and let the horsemen go on with him.

32And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.

33When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.

33When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.

34The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,

34On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

35he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.

35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

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ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.