Paul before the Sanhedrin

1And Paul, having looked intently to the council, said, Men, brethren, I have lived as a citizen in all good conscience to God till this day. 2And the chief priest Ananias commanded those standing by him to strike his month. 3Then said Paul to him, God is about to strike thee, thou wall covered with dust: and sittest thou judging me according to law, and commanded me to be struck illegally? 4And they standing by said, Revilest thou God's chief priest? 5And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he is chief priest: for it has been written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

6And Paul having known that one part is of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, cried in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee: for the hope and rising up of the dead am I judged. 7And he having spoken this, there was a dissension of the Pharisees and Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8For truly the Sadducees say there is no rising up, neither messenger, nor spirit: and the Pharisees acknowledge both. 9And there was a great cry: and the scribes of the Pharisees' part, having risen, struggled with obstinacy, saying, We find nothing evil in this man: but if a spirit or messenger spake to him, we should not contend against God. 10And there being much dissension, the captain of a thousand, having dreaded lest Paul be torn asunder by them, commanded the army, having gone down, to snatch him from the midst of them, and bring into the camp.

11And the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, Take courage, Paul: for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou also testify at Rome.

The Plot to Kill Paul
(John 16:1–4)

12And it being day, certain of the Jews having made a condition, anathematized themselves, saying, neither to eat or drink till they kill Paul. 13And there were more than forty having made this conspiracy. 14Who having come to the chief priests and elders, said, By an anathema, we anathematized ourselves, to taste of nothing till we kill Paul. 15Now therefore do ye exhibit to the captain of a thousand, with the council, so that to-morrow he might bring him down to you, as about to examine more accurately the things concerning him: and we, before he draws near, are ready to kill him.

16And Paul's sister's son having heard of the ambuscade, having approached, and come into the camp, announced to Paul. 17And Paul having called one of the centurions, said, Bring this young man to the captain of a thousand; for he has something to announce to him. 18Then truly having taken him, he brought to the captain of a thousand, and says, Paul, the bound, having called me, asked to bring this young man to thee, having something to say to thee. 19The captain of a thousand, having taken his hand, and having withdrawn in private, inquired, What is it which thou hast to announce to me? 20And he said, That the Jews agreed together to ask thee, so that to-morrow thou mightest bring down Paul to the council, as about to inquire something more accurately about him. 21Therefore thou shouldest not be persuaded by them: for more than forty men of them lie in wait for him, who anathematized themselves, neither to eat or drink till they should kill him: and now are they prepared, expecting a promise from thee. 22Truly then the captain of a thousand discharged the young man, having enjoined him, Tell none that thou hast shown these things to me.

Paul Sent to Felix

23And having called two certain of the centurions, he said, Prepare two hundred soldiers, so that they go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred having held spears in the right hand, at the third hour of the night; 24And to bring forward cattle to set Paul upon, that they might carry through safely to Felix the leader. 25Having written a letter containing this type.

26Claudius Lysias to the most excellent leader Felix, health.

27This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them: having stood with an army, I took him away, having learned that he is a Roman. 28And wishing to know the cause for which they accused him, I brought him down to this council: 29Whom I found accused of questions of their law, and having no accusation worthy of death or of bonds.

30And the plot about to be by the Jews, having been made known to me against the man, for this I sent to thee, having also commanded the accusers to say things against him to thee. Farewell. 31Then truly the soldiers according to that appointed them, having taken up Paul, brought by night to Antipatris. 32And the morrow; having suffered the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the camp: 33Who having come into Cesarea and given up the letter to the leader, they also placed Paul before him. 34And the leader having read, and asked of what province he is, and having understood from Cilicia; 35I will hearken to thee, he said, when also thine accusers should be present. And he commanded him to be watched in Herod's pretorium.