12When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.

14They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.

15Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."

16Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

17Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."

18So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you."

19The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"

20And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.

21But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent."

22So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."

23Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.

24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor."

25And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26"Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.

27This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

28And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.

29I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.

30And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him."

31So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.

33When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.

34On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

35he said, "I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.