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¹ Then Paul directing himself to the council, thus said, "hitherto I have liv'd strictly conscientious, as God knows." ² at which the high priest Ananias order'd those that were near him to strike him on the face: ³ which made Paul say, "may God strike thee, thou plaister'd wall: you sit to judge me according to law, and in defiance of the law you order me to be struck!" ⁴ what, said the standers-by, do you revile the high priest of God? ⁵ Paul replied, I did not consider, brethren, that he was the high priest. it is indeed written , "thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."

⁶ But as Paul knew that one part of the Sanhedrim were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out, my brethren, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and I am now prosecuted for believing the resurrection of the dead." ⁷ at these words the Pharisees and the Sadducees were all in confusion, the whole assembly being divided: ⁸ for the Sadducees maintain, there is neither resurrection, nor angel, or spirit, whereas the Pharisees acknowledge both: the clamour was great, ⁹ and the Scribes taking part with the Pharisees, grew warm in the debate, and said, "we find no harm in this man; perhaps a spirit or an angel has spoke to him." ¹⁰ but the tumult growing worse, the tribune apprehensive that Paul might be torn to pieces among them, order'd detachment to secure him by force of arms, and bring him to the castle. ¹¹ The night following, the Lord appear'd to him, and said, Paul, take courage; for the same remonstrances that you have made concerning me at Jerusalem, you must likewise make at Rome.

¹² when it was day, some Jews, that had form'd a conspiracy, engag'd themselves by an oath, not to eat, or drink, till they had kill'd Paul. ¹³ the conspirators, who were above forty in number, ¹⁴ went to the chief priests and senators, and said, "we have bound our selves by oath not to eat till we have slain Paul. ¹⁵ if you will move it then to the tribune in the name of the Sanhedrim, to send him here to-morrow, under colour of examining his affair with more solemnity, we shall take care to dispatch him, and make a short end of his journey." ¹⁶ Paul's sister's son hearing of the ambuscade, went to the castle, and being admitted, told Paul; ¹⁷ who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him. ¹⁸ accordingly he went along with him, and having introduc'd him to the tribune, he said, Paul, who is in custody sent for me, and desired me to introduce this young man, who has something to tell you. ¹⁹ then the tribune taking him by the hand, retir'd with him in private, and ask'd, what he had to say. ²⁰ the Jews, said he, have agreed to desire you would send Paul down to-morrow to the council, under the pretext of examining him more strictly. ²¹ but don't believe them: for above forty of them lie in ambush, having bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink till they have kill'd him: they are already prepar'd, and only wait your answer. ²² then the tribune dismiss'd the youth with this charge, don't tell any one, that you have given me this information. ²³ then calling two of his centurions, draw out, said he, two hundred foot, seventy horse, and two hundred archers, ready to march to Cesarea by the third hour of the night: ²⁴ let them take care to see Paul mounted, and convoy him safe to governour Felix. ²⁵ at the same time he writ a letter to Felix to this purport. ²⁶ CLAUDIUS LYSIAS to the most excellent governour FELIX wishes health. ²⁷ The Jews having seiz'd this man, were just upon the point to dispatch him, when I march'd with a body to his rescue; ²⁸ having been informed he was a Roman, I had him brought before their Sanhedrim, to hear what crime they laid to his charge. ²⁹ but I found their accusation turned upon certain topics of their law, and contain'd nothing that was capital, or that deserv'd imprisonment: ³⁰ and having intelligence that the Jews had form'd a conspiracy against him, I immediately sent him to you, directing his accusers to lay their charge before you. farewel. ³¹ The soldiers pursuant to order took Paul, and conducted him by night to Antipatris. ³² on the morrow they march'd back to the castle, having left him to the custody of the horse: ³³ who upon their arrival at Cesarea, delivered the letter to the governour, and presented Paul to him. ³⁴ The governour having read the letter, ask'd Paul of what province he was, and being inform'd he was of Cilicia, you shall be heard, ³⁵ said he, when your accusers are come: and then order'd him to the guard-room at Herod's palace.