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Today's Bible Reading :: Acts 21 - 23 (ESV)

Acts 21Listen to the passage

Acts 22Listen to the passage

Acts 23Listen to the passage

Acts 21

Paul Goes to Jerusalem

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:1

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:1 - And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.[fn]

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:2

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:2 - And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:3

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:3 - When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:4

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:4 - And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:5

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:5 - When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:6

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:6 - and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:7

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:7 - When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers[fn] and stayed with them for one day.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:8

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:8 - On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:9

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:9 - He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:10

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:10 - While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:11

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:11 - And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews[fn] at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:12

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:12 - When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:13

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:13 - Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:14

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:14 - And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:15

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:15 - After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:16

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:16 - And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Paul Visits James

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:17

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:17 - When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:18

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:18 - On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:19

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:19 - After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:20

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:20 - And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:21

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:21 - and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:22

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:22 - What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:23

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:23 - Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:24

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:24 - take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:25

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:25 - But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled,[fn] and from sexual immorality.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:26

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:26 - Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.

Paul Arrested in the Temple

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:27

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:27 - When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:28

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:28 - crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:29

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:29 - For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:30

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:30 - Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:31

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:31 - And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:32

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:32 - He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:33

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:33 - Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:34

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:34 - Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:35

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:35 - And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:36

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:36 - for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”

Paul Speaks to the People

(Act 9:1–19; 26:12–18 )

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:37

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:37 - As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:38

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:38 - Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:39

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:39 - Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 21:40

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 21:40 - And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language,[fn] saying:
ESV Footnotes
Some manuscripts add and Myra
Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17
Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time
Some manuscripts omit and from what has been strangled
Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic)

Acts 22

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:1

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:1 - “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:2

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:2 - And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language,[fn] they became even more quiet. And he said:

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:3

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:3 - “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel[fn] according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:4

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:4 - I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:5

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:5 - as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:6

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:6 - “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:7

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:7 - And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:8

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:8 - And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:9

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:9 - Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand[fn] the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:10

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:10 - And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:11

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:11 - And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:12

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:12 - “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:13

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:13 - came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:14

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:14 - And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:15

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:15 - for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:16

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:16 - And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:17

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:17 - “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:18

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:18 - and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:19

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:19 - And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:20

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:20 - And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:21

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:21 - And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Paul and the Roman Tribune

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:22

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:22 - Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:23

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:23 - And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:24

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:24 - the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:25

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:25 - But when they had stretched him out for the whips,[fn] Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:26

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:26 - When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:27

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:27 - So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:28

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:28 - The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:29

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:29 - So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Paul Before the Council

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 22:30

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 22:30 - But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
ESV Footnotes
Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic)
Or city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated
Or hear with understanding
Or when they had tied him up with leather strips

Acts 23

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:1

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:1 - And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:2

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:2 - And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:3

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:3 - Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:4

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:4 - Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:5

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:5 - And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:6

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:6 - Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:7

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:7 - And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:8

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:8 - For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:9

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:9 - Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:10

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:10 - And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:11

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:11 - The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

A Plot to Kill Paul

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:12

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:12 - When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:13

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:13 - There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:14

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:14 - They 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.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:15

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:15 - Now 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.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:16

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:16 - Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:17

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:17 - Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:18

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:18 - So 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.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:19

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:19 - The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:20

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:20 - And 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.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:21

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:21 - But 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.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:22

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:22 - So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul Sent to Felix the Governor

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:23

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:23 - Then 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.[fn]

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:24

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:24 - Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:25

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:25 - And he wrote a letter to this effect:

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:26

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:26 - “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:27

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:27 - This 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.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:28

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:28 - And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:29

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:29 - I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:30

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:30 - And 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.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:31

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:31 - So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:32

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:32 - And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:33

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:33 - When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:34

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:34 - On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

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Unchecked Copy Box Act 23:35

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 23:35 - he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
See the ESV Preface
ESV Footnotes
That is, 9 p.m.
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2025 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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