Acts 23

1 Ref And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.

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

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

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

5 Ref And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.

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

7 Ref And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.

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

9 Ref And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

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

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

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

13 Ref And they were more than forty that made this conspiracy.

14 Ref And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 Ref Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.

16 Ref But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

17 Ref And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

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

19 Ref And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?

20 Ref And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

21 Ref Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.

22 Ref So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

Chapter 23 of 28

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