²⁴ Take these men, join in their purification rites^(A) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.^(B) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.

¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean^(A) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.^(B)

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.^(A)

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

¹⁸ Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters^(A) and sailed for Syria,^(B) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.^(C) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae^(D) because of a vow he had taken.^(E)

¹⁴ After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.^(A)

¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(A) and drink^(B) and various ceremonial washings^(C)—external regulations^(D) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest^(E) of the good things that are now already here,^[a](F) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle^(G) that is not made with human hands,^(H) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. ¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;^(I) but he entered the Most Holy Place^(J) once for all^(K) by his own blood,^(L) thus obtaining^[b] eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(M) and the ashes of a heifer^(N) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^(O) offered himself^(P) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(Q) from acts that lead to death,^[c](R) so that we may serve the living God!^(S)

¹² For before certain men came from James,^(A) he used to eat with the Gentiles.^(B) But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.^(C)

²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^(A) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^(B) so as to win those under the law.

⁵⁵ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,^(A) many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing^(B) before the Passover.