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In Jerusalem

17 And after we arrived in Jerusalem, (A)the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to (B)James, and all (C)the elders were present. 19 And after he had greeted them, he (D)began to relate one by one the things which God did among the Gentiles through his (E)ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began (F)glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many [a]thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all (G)zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are (H)teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them (I)not to circumcise their children nor to [b]walk according to (J)the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who [c](K)are under a vow; 24 take them and (L)purify yourself along with them, and [d]pay their expenses so that they may (M)shave their [e]heads. Then all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, (N)having decided that they should keep from [f]meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul [g]took the men, and the next day, (O)purifying himself along with them, (P)went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:20 Lit ten thousands
  2. Acts 21:21 Observe or live by
  3. Acts 21:23 Lit have a vow on them
  4. Acts 21:24 Lit spend on them
  5. Acts 21:24 Lit head
  6. Acts 21:25 Lit the thing
  7. Acts 21:26 Or took the men the next day, and purifying himself

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(A) received us warmly.(B) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(C) and all the elders(D) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(E) through his ministry.(F)

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(G) for the law.(H) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(I) telling them not to circumcise their children(J) or live according to our customs.(K) 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.(L) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(M) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(N) 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.”(O)

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.(P)

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