²¹ After all this had happened, Paul decided^[a] to go to Jerusalem,^(A) passing through Macedonia^(B) and Achaia.^(C) “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”^(D)

²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,^(A) not knowing what will happen to me there.

¹⁶ Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus^(A) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,^(B) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,^(C) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.^(D)

¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!^(A) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”^(B)

¹³ I do not want you to be unaware,^(A) brothers and sisters,^[a](B) that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now)^(C) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

²¹ But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”^(A) Then he set sail from Ephesus.

⁷ And so you became a model^(A) to all the believers in Macedonia^(B) and Achaia.^(C)

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,^(A) this time with Barnabas.^(B) I took Titus^(C) along also.