17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly.(A) 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.(B) 19 After greeting them, he reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.(C)

20 When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous(D) for the law. 21 But they have been informed about you—that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to live according to our customs.(E) 22 So what is to be done?[a] They will certainly hear that you’ve come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law.(F) 25 With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that[b] they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

The Riot in the Temple

26 So the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering would be made for each of them.(G)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 21:22 Other mss add A multitude has to come together, since
  2. 21:25 Other mss add they should observe no such thing, except that

17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, (A)the brothers and sisters received us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to [a](B)James, and all (C)the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he (D)began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his (E)ministry. 20 And when they heard about them, they began (F)glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many [b]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 abandon Moses, telling them (I)not to circumcise their children nor to [c]walk according to (J)the customs. 22 So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore, do [d]as we tell you: we have four men who (K)have a [e]vow upon themselves; 24 take them along and (L)purify yourself together with them, and [f]pay their expenses so that they may (M)shave their [g]heads; and then everyone will know that there is nothing to what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also conform, keeping the Law. 25 But regarding the Gentiles who have believed, we sent a letter, (N)having decided that they should abstain from [h]meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and what is [i]strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul [j]took along the men, and the next day, after (O)purifying himself together with them, he (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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:18 Or Jacob
  2. Acts 21:20 Lit ten thousands
  3. Acts 21:21 I.e., observe or live by
  4. Acts 21:23 Lit this which we
  5. Acts 21:23 I.e., a sacred duty to fulfill
  6. Acts 21:24 Lit spend on them
  7. Acts 21:24 Lit head (a requirement of the vow)
  8. Acts 21:25 Lit the thing
  9. Acts 21:25 I.e., to retain the blood
  10. Acts 21:26 Or took along the men the next day, and after purifying himself