Acts 23:12-22

New American Standard Bible 1995

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

¹² When it was day, ^(A)the Jews formed a ^[a]conspiracy and ^(B)bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty who formed this plot. ¹⁴ They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have ^(C)bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now therefore, you ^[b]and ^(D)the ^[c]Council notify the ^[d]commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”

¹⁶ But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, ^[e]and he came and entered ^(E)the barracks and told Paul. ¹⁷ Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the ^[f]commander, for he has something to report to him.” ¹⁸ So he took him and led him to the ^[g]commander and *said, “Paul ^(F)the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” ¹⁹ The ^[h]commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” ²⁰ And he said, “^(G)The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to ^(H)the ^[i]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. ²¹ So do not ^[j]listen to them, for more than forty of them are ^(I)lying in wait for him who have ^(J)bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” ²² So the ^[k]commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”