7. These words aroused a dispute between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8. This is because Sadducees say that there’s no resurrection, angel, or spirit, but Pharisees affirm them all.
9. Council members were shouting loudly. Some Pharisees who were legal experts stood up and insisted forcefully, "We find nothing wrong with this man! What if a spirit or angel has spoken to him?"
10. The dispute became so heated that the commander feared they might tear Paul to pieces. He ordered soldiers to go down and remove him by force from their midst. Then they took him back to the military headquarters.
11. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Be encouraged! Just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so too you must testify in Rome."
12. The next morning some Jewish leaders formulated a plot and solemnly promised that they wouldn’t eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
13. More than forty people were involved in the conspiracy.
14. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have solemnly promised to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15. You and the council must explain to the commander that you need Paul brought down to you. Pretend that you want to examine his case more closely. We’re prepared to kill him before he arrives."
16. Paul’s sister had a son who heard about the ambush and he came to the military headquarters and reported it to Paul.
17. Paul called for one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander because he has something to report to him."
18. He took him to the commander and said, "The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you."
19. The commander took him by the hand and withdrew to a place where they could speak privately. He asked, "What do you have to report to me?"
20. He replied, "The Jewish leaders have conspired to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow. They will pretend that they want to investigate his case more closely.
21. Don’t fall for it! More than forty of them are waiting to ambush him. They have solemnly promised not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, awaiting your consent."