¹⁷ When we arrived in Jerusalem, the ^[a]brothers and sisters welcomed us gladly. ¹⁸ On the next day Paul went with us to [see] ^[b]James, and all the elders of the church were present. ¹⁹ After greeting them, Paul began to give a detailed account of the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And when they heard it, they began glorifying and praising God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all enthusiastic supporters of the Law [of Moses]. ²¹ Now they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are living among the Gentiles to turn away from [the Law of] Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or to live according to the [Mosaic] customs. ²² What then should be done? They will certainly hear that you have arrived. ²³ Therefore do just what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow; ²⁴ take these men and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses [for the temple offerings] so that they may shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing to the things they have been told about you, but that you yourself also follow and keep the Law. ²⁵ But with regard to the Gentiles who have believed [in Christ], we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from [consuming] blood and from [the meat of] what has been strangled and from sexual immorality.” ²⁶ Then Paul took the [four] men, and the next day he purified himself along with them [by submitting to the ritual]. He went into the temple to give notice of [the time] when the days of purification [ending each vow] would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of each one.