As soon as the centurions salute and turn to carry out their orders, the centurion calls for a scribe and begins to dictate a letter to him: Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, I send my greetings. The man who you are now receiving was captured, beaten, and about to be killed by a group of very zealous Jews here in Jerusalem. I, along with the soldiers I had with me, ordered the crowd to disperse, and took this man, Paul back to the barracks, detaining him for questioning. I learned that he is a Roman citizen. In the morning, I summoned the Jewish council and assembled them before him so that I might learn the reason for their hatred of him, but I found nothing more than accusations by them that he has done certain things contrary to their law. Nothing that would be a just cause for him to be imprisoned or killed. I have just now learned of a plot by these same Jews to kill him as soon as they get the opportunity, and it is for this reason that I have sent him to you. I am commanding those who have accused him to also go to you to present their case against him. Farewell.
Acts 23:26-30
