9. And there was loud shouting, and some of the scribes from the party of the Pharisees stood up and contended sharply, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man! But what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
10. And when the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring him into the barracks.
11. And the next night the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
12. And when it was day, the Jews made a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse, saying they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
13. Now there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy,
14. who went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a curse to partake of nothing until we have killed Paul.
15. Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near.”
16. But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks and reported it to Paul.
17. So Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the military tribune, because he has something to report to him.”
18. So he took him and brought him to the military tribune and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
19. And the military tribune, taking hold of his hand and withdrawing privately, asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?”
20. And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
21. You therefore do not be persuaded by them, because more than forty men of their number are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have done away with him. And now they are ready, waiting for you to agree.”
22. So the military tribune sent the young man away, directing him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”
23. And he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea.
24. And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25. He wrote a letter that had this form: