12 [a]And when the day was come, certain of the Jews made an assembly, and bound themselves [b]with a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

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

14 And they came to the chief Priests and Elders, and said, We have bound ourselves with a solemn curse, that we will eat nothing, until we have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore, [c]ye and the Council, signify to the chief captain, that he bring him forth unto you tomorrow, as though you would know something more perfectly of him, and we, or ever he come near will be ready to kill him.

16 But when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their laying await, he went, and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17 [d]And Paul called one of the Centurions unto him, and said, Take this young man hence unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to show him.

18 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, which hath something to say unto thee.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went apart with him alone, and asked him, What hast thou to show me?

20 And he said, The Jews have conspired to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring forth Paul tomorrow into the Council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly:

21 But let them not persuade thee: for there lie in wait for him of them, more than forty men, which have bound themselves with a curse, that they will neither eat nor drink, till they have killed him: and now are they ready, and wait for thy promise.

22 [e]The chief captain then let the young man depart, after he had charged him to utter it to no man, that he had [f]showed him these things.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 23:12 Such as are carried away with a foolish zeal, think that they may lie and murder, and do whatsoever mischief they list.
  2. Acts 23:12 They cursing and banning themselves, promised.
  3. Acts 23:15 Ye and the Senate requiring the same to be done, lest that the Tribune should think that it was demanded of him at some private man’s suit.
  4. Acts 23:17 The wisdom of the Spirit must be joined with simplicity.
  5. Acts 23:22 There is no counsel against the Lord and his servants.
  6. Acts 23:22 Greek, that thou hast showed these things to me.

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