Paul Goes to Jerusalem

21 And when (A)we had parted from them and set sail, we (B)came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.[a] And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 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. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And (C)through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, (D)accompanied us until we were outside the city. And (E)kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted (F)the brothers[b] and stayed with them for one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of (G)Philip (H)the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, (I)who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named (J)Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he (K)took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, (L)“Thus says the Holy Spirit, (M)‘This is how the Jews[c] at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and (N)deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there (O)urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, (P)“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For (Q)I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem (R)for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, (S)we ceased and said, (T)“Let the will of the Lord be done.”

15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 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

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, (U)the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to (V)James, and all (W)the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, (X)he related one by one (Y)the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his (Z)ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they (AA)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 (AB)zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all (AC)the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, (AD)telling them (AE)not to circumcise their children or (AF)walk according to (AG)our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men (AH)who are under a vow; 24 take these men and (AI)purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, (AJ)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. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, (AK)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,[d] and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day (AL)he purified himself along with them and (AM)went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and (AN)the offering presented for each one of them.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:1 Some manuscripts add and Myra
  2. Acts 21:7 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 17
  3. Acts 21:11 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time
  4. Acts 21:25 Some manuscripts omit and from what has been strangled

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)

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