21
1 When
we had departed
from them and
had set sail, we
came with a
straight course to
Cos, and the
next day to
Rhodes, and from
there to Patara.
2 Having
found a ship
crossing over to
Phoenicia, we went
aboard and
set sail.
3 When
we had come
in sight of
Cyprus, leaving it
on the left
hand, we sailed
to Syria and
landed at Tyre,
for the ship
was there to unload
her cargo.
4 Having found
disciples, we
stayed there seven
days. These said
to Paul through
the Spirit that
he should not
go up to
Jerusalem.
5 When
those days were
over, we departed
and went on
our journey. They
all, with wives
and children,
brought us on
our way until
we were out
of the city.
Kneeling down on
the beach, we
prayed.
6 After saying
goodbye to each
other, we went
on board the
ship, and they
returned home
again.
7 When
we had finished
the voyage from
Tyre, we arrived
at Ptolemais.
We greeted the brothers
and stayed with
them one day.
8 On
the next day,
we who were
Paul’s companions
departed and came
to Caesarea.
We entered into
the house of
Philip the
evangelist, who
was one of
the seven, and
stayed with him.
9 Now
this man had
four virgin
daughters who
prophesied.
10 As
we stayed there
some days, a
certain prophet
named Agabus came
down from Judea.
11 Coming
to us and taking
Paul’s belt, he
bound his own
feet and hands,
and said, “The
Holy Spirit says:
‘So the Jews
at Jerusalem will
bind the man
who owns this
belt, and will
deliver him into
the hands of
the Gentiles.’ ”
12 When
we heard these
things, both we
and the people
of that place
begged him not
to go up
to Jerusalem.
13 Then
Paul answered, “What
are you doing,
weeping and
breaking my heart?
For I am
ready not only
to be bound,
but also to die
at Jerusalem for
the name of
the Lord Jesus.”
14 When
he would not
be persuaded, we
ceased, saying, “The
Lord’s will
be done.”
15 After
these days we
took up our baggage
and went up
to Jerusalem.
16 Some
of the disciples
from Caesarea also
went with us,
bringing one Mnason
of Cyprus, an early
disciple, with
whom we would stay.
17 When
we had come
to Jerusalem,
the brothers received us gladly.
18 The
day following,
Paul went in
with us to
James; and all
the elders were
present.
19 When
he had greeted
them, he reported
one by one
the things which
God had worked
among the Gentiles
through his
ministry.
20 They,
when they heard it,
glorified God.
They said to
him, “You see,
brother, how many
thousands there
are among the
Jews of those
who have believed,
and they are
all zealous for
the law.
21 They
have been informed
about you, that
you teach all
the Jews who
are among the
Gentiles to forsake
Moses, telling
them not to
circumcise their
children and not
to walk after
the customs.
22 What
then? The assembly
must certainly
meet, for they
will hear that
you have come.
23 Therefore
do what we
tell you. We
have four men
who have taken a
vow.
24 Take
them and purify
yourself with them,
and pay their
expenses for them,
that they may
shave their heads.
Then all will
know that there
is no truth in
the things that
they have been
informed about you,
but that you
yourself also walk
keeping the law.
25 But
concerning the
Gentiles who
believe, we have
written our decision
that they should
observe no such
thing, except that
they should keep
themselves from food offered
to idols,
from blood, from
strangled things,
and from sexual
immorality.”
26 Then
Paul took the
men, and the
next day purified
himself and went
with them into
the temple, declaring
the fulfillment of
the days
of purification, until
the offering was
offered for every
one of them.
27 When
the seven days
were almost completed,
the Jews from
Asia, when they
saw him in
the temple,
stirred up all
the multitude and
laid hands on
him,
28 crying
out, “Men of
Israel, help! This
is the man
who teaches all
men everywhere
against the people,
and the law,
and this place.
Moreover, he also
brought Greeks
into the temple
and has defiled
this holy place!”
29 For
they had seen
Trophimus the
Ephesian, with him
in the city,
and they supposed
that Paul had
brought him into
the temple.
30 All
the city was
moved and the
people ran
together. They
seized Paul and
dragged him out
of the temple.
Immediately the
doors were shut.
31 As
they were trying
to kill him, news
came up to
the commanding officer of
the regiment that
all Jerusalem was
in an uproar.
32 Immediately
he took soldiers
and centurions and
ran down to
them. They, when
they saw the
chief captain and
the soldiers,
stopped beating
Paul.
33 Then
the commanding officer
came near, arrested
him, commanded him
to be bound
with two chains,
and inquired who
he was and
what he had
done.
34 Some
shouted one thing
and some another,
among the crowd.
When he couldn’t
find out the truth
because of
the noise, he
commanded him to
be brought into
the barracks.
35 When
he came to
the stairs, he was
carried by the
soldiers because
of the violence of
the crowd;
36 for
the multitude of
the people
followed after,
crying out, “Away
with him!”
37 As
Paul was about
to be brought
into the barracks,
he asked
the commanding officer, “May
I speak to
you?”
He said, “Do
you know Greek?
38 Aren’t
you then
the Egyptian who
before these days
stirred up
to sedition and
led out into
the wilderness the
four thousand men
of the Assassins?”
39 But
Paul said, “I
am a Jew
from Tarsus in
Cilicia, a citizen
of no insignificant
city. I beg
you, allow me
to speak to
the people.”
40 When
he had given
him permission,
Paul, standing on
the stairs, beckoned
with his hand
to the people.
When there was
a great silence,
he spoke to
them in the
Hebrew language,
saying,