劝阻耶路撒冷之行

21 我们与他们惜别以后就开船直航,来到科斯岛。第二天到了罗得岛,又从那里到帕塔拉 找到了一条开往腓尼基的船,就上船起航。 我们望见塞浦路斯岛,驶过的时候它在左边。我们继续向叙利亚省航行,在提尔登陆,因为船要在那里卸货。 我们找到了一些门徒,就在那里住了七天。他们藉着圣灵,一直告诉保罗不要上耶路撒冷去。 那些日子过了以后,我们出发前行,大家与妻子和儿女一起送我们到城外。我们都跪在岸上祷告, 彼此告别。我们上了船,他们就回自己的家去了。

我们结束了从提尔开始的航程,到达托勒密,就去问候弟兄们,在他们那里住了一天。 第二天我们[a]离开那里,来到凯撒里亚,进了传福音者腓利的家,住在他那里,他是那七位执事[b]中的一位。 他有四个女儿,都是童贞女,是做先知传道[c]的。

10 我们住了好几天,有一个名叫阿伽布斯的先知从犹太下来了。 11 他来到我们这里,拿起保罗的腰带,把自己的手脚捆起来,说:“圣灵这样说,犹太人在耶路撒冷要如此捆绑这腰带的主人,把他交在外邦人的手中。” 12 我们一听这些话,就和当地的人恳求保罗不要上耶路撒冷去。

13 这时候保罗说:“你们为什么哭,使我心碎呢?我为了主耶稣的名,不仅被捆绑,即使死在耶路撒冷,也都预备好了。”

14 我们既然不能说服保罗,就都安静下来,只说:“愿主的旨意成就。”

有关外邦宣教的争议

15 过了几天,我们收拾行李,上耶路撒冷去。 16 凯撒里亚的一些门徒也陪我们一起去,带我们到一个塞浦路斯纳森家里去作客住宿。他做门徒已经很久了。

17 我们到了耶路撒冷,弟兄们很高兴地欢迎我们。 18 第二天,保罗与我们一起去探望雅各,所有的长老也都来了。 19 保罗问候他们后,一一述说神藉着他的服事,在外邦人中所做的事。

20 他们听了就不住地荣耀神[d],又对保罗说:“弟兄,你看犹太人中信主[e]的人有多少万,而且他们都是对律法热心的人。 21 他们听到有关你的事,说你教导所有在外邦人中的犹太人离道反教、背弃摩西,叫他们不要给孩子行割礼,也不要按规矩行事。 22 他们一定会听到你来这里了[f]。那么该怎么办呢? 23 你就照我们告诉你的去做吧。我们这里有四个人,他们都许过愿。 24 你带他们去,与他们一起行洁净礼,并且替他们付钱,好让他们剃掉头发。这样,大家就会知道有关你的传闻不是真的,而且你自己也是照着规矩行事、遵守律法的。 25 至于已经相信的外邦人,我们照着决定写了信,要他们远避祭过偶像的食物,远避血和勒死的动物,远避淫乱。[g]

圣殿里的骚乱

26 于是,第二天保罗带了那四个人,与他们一起行了洁净礼,进了圣殿,宣告洁净期满的日子,直到为他们每一个人的供物都被献上为止。 27 那七天快要结束的时候,从亚细亚省来的一些犹太人看到保罗在圣殿里,就煽动整个人群,下手捉拿他, 28 喊叫:“各位以色列人哪,请帮忙!这个人就是那到处教导大家反对我们的民族、律法,反对这地方的!他甚至把希腊人带进圣殿,玷污了这圣地。” 29 原来他们曾经看见以弗所特罗费摩保罗一起在城里,就以为保罗带他进了圣殿。

30 于是全城的人都被煽动了,民众一起跑来,抓住保罗,把他拖出圣殿,殿门立刻关上了。 31 在他们想杀保罗的时候,有消息上报到军团的千夫长,说全耶路撒冷都混乱了。 32 千夫长立即带着士兵和几个百夫长跑下去,到了他们那里。他们一看见千夫长和士兵们,就停止殴打保罗 33 于是千夫长上前抓住保罗,下令用两条铁链把他捆起来,然后查问他到底是什么人,做了什么事。 34 人群当中,有的喊这个,有的喊那个;千夫长因为骚乱,无法知道真相,就下令把保罗带到营楼里去。 35 保罗到了台阶上的时候,由于人群凶猛,士兵们只好把他抬起来走。 36 那一群人跟在后面,喊叫:“除掉他!”

保罗对群众的讲话

37 保罗快要被押进营楼的时候,就对千夫长说:“我是否可以对你说句话?”

千夫长说:“你懂希腊语吗? 38 你究竟是不是那个前些日子作乱、带领四千个凶徒进入旷野的埃及人呢?”

39 保罗回答说:“我是犹太人,是奇里乞亚省的塔尔苏人,并不是无名之城的公民,请求你准许我向民众说话。”

40 千夫长准许了,保罗就站在台阶上,向民众挥一下手,大家都寂静无声,保罗就用希伯来语呼吁,说:

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行传 21:8 我们——有古抄本作“跟随保罗的人”。
  2. 使徒行传 21:8 执事——辅助词语。
  3. 使徒行传 21:9 做先知传道——原文直译“说预言”。
  4. 使徒行传 21:20 神——有古抄本作“主”。
  5. 使徒行传 21:20 主——辅助词语。
  6. 使徒行传 21:22 他们一定会听到你来这里了——有古抄本作“他们听到你来了,民众必定会聚集”。
  7. 使徒行传 21:25 有古抄本附“除了这些以外,不要遵守任何这样的事”。

保羅前往耶路撒冷

21 我們和眾人道別之後,乘船直接駛往哥士,第二天到達羅底,從那裡前往帕大喇, 在帕大喇遇到一艘開往腓尼基的船,就上了船。 塞浦路斯遙遙在望,船從該島的南面繞過,一直駛向敘利亞。因為船要在泰爾卸貨,我們就在那裡上了岸, 找到當地的門徒後,便和他們同住了七天。他們受聖靈的感動力勸保羅不要去耶路撒冷。 時間到了,我們繼續前行,眾門徒和他們的妻子兒女送我們出城。大家跪在岸邊禱告之後,彼此道別。 我們上了船,眾人也回家去了。

我們從泰爾乘船抵達多利買,上岸探訪那裡的弟兄姊妹,和他們住了一天。 第二天我們離開那裡,來到凱撒利亞,住在傳道人腓利家裡。他是當初選出的七位執事之一。 腓利有四個未出嫁的女兒,都能說預言。 10 過了幾天,一個名叫亞迦布的先知從猶太下來。 11 他到了我們這裡,拿保羅的腰帶綁住自己的手腳,說:「聖靈說,『耶路撒冷的猶太人也要這樣捆綁這腰帶的主人,把他交給外族人。』」

12 聽到這話,我們和當地的信徒都苦勸保羅不要去耶路撒冷。 13 但保羅說:「你們為什麼這樣哭泣,令我心碎呢?我為主耶穌的名甘願受捆綁,甚至死在耶路撒冷。」

14 我們知道再勸也無濟於事,只好對他說:「願主的旨意成就。」

15 過了幾天,我們收拾行裝啟程上耶路撒冷。 16 有幾個凱撒利亞的門徒和我們一起去,並帶我們到一個信主已久的塞浦路斯人拿孫家裡住宿。

保羅會見雅各和眾長老

17 我們抵達耶路撒冷後,受到弟兄姊妹的熱烈歡迎。 18 第二天,保羅和我們去見雅各,眾長老都在那裡。 19 保羅向大家問安之後,便一一述說上帝如何藉著他傳福音給外族人。 20 大家聽了,都同聲讚美上帝,又對保羅說:「弟兄,你知道數以萬計的猶太人信了主,他們都嚴守律法。 21 他們聽見有人說你教導住在外族人中的猶太人背棄摩西的律法,不替孩子行割禮,也不遵守猶太人的規矩。 22 他們一定會聽到你來這裡的消息,這該怎麼辦? 23 請你聽我們的建議,這裡有四位向上帝許過願的弟兄, 24 你和他們一起去行潔淨禮,並由你替他們付費,讓他們可以剃頭,好叫眾人知道你嚴守律法,循規蹈矩,關於你的傳聞都是假的。 25 至於那些外族信徒,我們已經寫信吩咐他們,不可吃祭過偶像的食物,不可吃血和勒死的牲畜,不可淫亂。」

保羅被捕

26 於是,保羅和四位弟兄第二天行了潔淨禮,然後上聖殿報告他們潔淨期滿的日子,好在期滿後讓祭司為他們每個人獻祭物。 27 當七日的潔淨期將滿的時候,有些從亞細亞來的猶太人發現保羅在聖殿裡,就煽動眾人去抓他。 28 他們高喊:「以色列人快來幫忙!就是這人到處教唆人反對我們的民族、律法和聖殿。他還帶希臘人進聖殿,玷污這聖地。」 29 這是因為他們在城裡見過一個名叫特羅非摩的以弗所人和保羅在一起,以為保羅一定把他帶進聖殿了。

30 消息一傳開,全城轟動。眾人衝進聖殿把保羅拉出來,隨即關上殿門。 31 正當他們要殺保羅的時候,有人把耶路撒冷發生騷亂的消息報告給羅馬軍營的千夫長, 32 千夫長馬上帶著軍兵和幾個百夫長趕來了。眾人一見千夫長和軍隊,便停止毆打保羅。 33 千夫長上前拿住保羅,命人用兩條鐵鏈把他鎖起來,問他是什麼人、做了什麼事。 34 人群中有人這樣喊,有人那樣喊,情形混亂不堪,千夫長無法辨明真相,便命人將保羅帶回軍營。 35 保羅剛走上臺階,眾人便兇猛地擁擠過來,士兵們只好把他舉起來抬著走。 36 眾人擠在後面喊著說:「殺掉他!」

保羅的申辯

37 士兵們抬著保羅來到軍營門口,保羅問千夫長:「我可以和你講幾句話嗎?」千夫長說:「你也懂希臘話嗎? 38 不久前煽動叛亂、帶著四千暴徒逃到曠野去的那個埃及人是你嗎?」 39 保羅說:「我是猶太人,來自基利迦的大數,並非無名小城的人。請准許我向百姓講幾句話。」 40 千夫長答應了,保羅就站在臺階上向眾人揮手示意,他們都安靜下來,保羅用希伯來話對他們說:

On to Jerusalem

21 After we(A) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(B) went on board and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(C) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples(D) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(E) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.(F) After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

We continued our voyage from Tyre(G) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(H) and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(I) and stayed at the house of Philip(J) the evangelist,(K) one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(L)

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(M) came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,(N) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(O) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(P)

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die(Q) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(R) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(S) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(T)

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(U) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(V) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(W) and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(X) received us warmly.(Y) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(Z) and all the elders(AA) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(AB) through his ministry.(AC)

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(AD) for the law.(AE) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(AF) telling them not to circumcise their children(AG) or live according to our customs.(AH) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(AI) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(AJ) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(AK) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(AL)

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(AM)

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(AN) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(AO) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(AP) the Ephesian(AQ) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(AR) they dragged him(AS) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(AT)

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(AU) with two(AV) chains.(AW) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(AX) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(AY) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(AZ) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(BA)

Paul Speaks to the Crowd(BB)

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(BC) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(BD) some time ago?”(BE)

39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(BF) in Cilicia,(BG) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(BH) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:(BI)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2

結束第三次宣教旅程

21 我們離別了他們以後,船就直航到了哥士,第二天到羅底,從那裡開往帕大拉; 遇見了一艘開往腓尼基的船,就上船起行。 我們遠遠看見塞浦路斯,就從南邊駛過,直航敘利亞,在推羅靠了岸,因為船要在那裡卸貨。 我們找到了一些門徒,就在那裡住了七天。他們憑著聖靈的指示告訴保羅不要上耶路撒冷去。 過了這幾天,我們就啟程前行,他們眾人帶著妻子兒女送我們到城外。我們跪在海灘上禱告, 互相道別。我們上了船,他們就回家去了。

我們從推羅繼續航行,到了多利買,問候那裡的弟兄,與他們同住了一天。 第二天我們離開那裡,來到該撒利亞,到了傳福音的腓利家裡,與他住在一起。他是那七位執事中的一位。 他有四個女兒,都是童女,是會說預言的。 10 我們住了幾天之後,有一位先知,名叫亞迦布,從猶太下來。 11 他來見我們,把保羅的腰帶拿過來,綁住自己的手腳,說:“聖靈說,猶太人在耶路撒冷要這樣捆綁這腰帶的主人,把他交在外族人的手裡。” 12 我們聽了這些話,就和當地的人勸保羅不要去耶路撒冷。 13 保羅卻回答:“你們為甚麼哭,使我心碎呢?我為主耶穌的名,不但被捆綁,就算死在耶路撒冷我也都準備好了。” 14 他既然不聽勸,我們只說了“願主的旨意成就”,就不出聲了。

15 過了幾天,我們收拾行裝,上耶路撒冷去。 16 有該撒利亞的幾個門徒同我們在一起,領我們到一個塞浦路斯人拿孫家裡住宿;他作了門徒已經很久了。

保羅報告工作的情況

17 我們到了耶路撒冷,弟兄們歡歡喜喜接待我們。 18 第二天,保羅和我們一同去見雅各,長老們也都在座。 19 保羅問候了他們,就把 神藉著他的工作在外族人中所行的事,一一述說出來。 20 他們聽了,就讚美 神,對保羅說:“弟兄,你看,猶太人中信主的有好幾萬,都是對律法很熱心的人。 21 他們聽說,你教導所有在外族人中的猶太人背棄摩西,叫他們不要給孩子行割禮,也不要遵守規例。 22 他們總會聽見你來了,那怎麼辦呢? 23 你就照我們的話作吧,我們這裡有四個人,都有願在身。 24 你把他們帶去,和他們一同行潔淨禮,並且替他們付錢,讓他們剃去頭髮,這樣大家就知道以前所聽見關於你的事,都不是真實的,也知道你是遵守律法循規蹈矩而行的人。 25 至於信主的外族人,我們已經寫了信,吩咐他們要禁戒祭偶像的食物、血、勒死的牲畜和淫亂。” 26 保羅就把那幾個人帶走了,第二天和他們一同行了潔淨禮。他們進了殿,報明了他們潔淨期滿的日子,以及各人獻祭的時間。

保羅在聖殿被猶太人捉住

27 七日將完的時候,從亞西亞來的猶太人看見保羅在殿裡,就煽動群眾,並且捉住他, 28 喊叫著說:“以色列人哪,快來幫忙!這個人到處教導眾人反對人民,反對律法和這個地方,他甚至把希臘人也帶進殿裡,污穢了這聖地。” 29 原來他們看見過以弗所人特羅非摩同保羅在城裡,就以為保羅帶他進了殿。 30 於是全城震動,民眾一齊跑來,捉住保羅,拉出殿外,殿門就立刻關起來了。 31 他們正想殺他的時候,有人報告營部的千夫長,說:“整個耶路撒冷都亂了!” 32 千夫長立刻帶著一些百夫長和士兵跑到他們那裡。眾人一看見千夫長和士兵,就停止毆打保羅。 33 於是千夫長上前捉住保羅,吩咐人用兩條鐵鍊捆住他,問他是甚麼人,作過甚麼事。 34 那時眾人叫這個喊那個,吵吵鬧鬧,以致千夫長沒有辦法知道真相,只好下令把保羅帶到營樓去。 35 保羅到了臺階下面的時候,士兵把他抬起來,因為群眾猛擠, 36 而且有一群人跟在後面叫喊:“幹掉他!”

保羅為自己申辯(A)

37 他們帶著保羅快到營樓的時候,保羅對千夫長說:“我可以跟你講一句話嗎?”千夫長說:“你懂希臘話嗎? 38 難道你不就是不久以前作亂的、帶領四千個殺手到曠野去的那個埃及人嗎?” 39 保羅說:“我是猶太人,是基利家的大數人,並不是無名小城的公民,求你准我向民眾講幾句話。” 40 千夫長准許了他,保羅就站在臺階上,向民眾作了一個手勢。大家安靜下來了,保羅就用希伯來語講話,說:

21 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,