Paul Visits James

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, (A)the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to (B)James, and all (C)the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, (D)he related one by one (E)the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his (F)ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they (G)glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all (H)zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all (I)the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, (J)telling them (K)not to circumcise their children or (L)walk according to (M)our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men (N)who are under a vow; 24 take these men and (O)purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, (P)so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, (Q)we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled,[a] and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day (R)he purified himself along with them and (S)went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and (T)the offering presented for each one of them.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:25 Some manuscripts omit and from what has been strangled

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly.

Meeting the Jerusalem church leaders

18 On the next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James. All of the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he gave them a detailed report of what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 Those who heard this praised God. Then they said to him, “Brother, you see how many thousands of Jews have become believers, and all of them keep the Law passionately. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to reject Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to live according to our customs. 22 What about this? Without a doubt, they will hear that you have arrived. 23 You must therefore do what we tell you. Four men among us have made a solemn promise. 24 Take them with you, go through the purification ritual with them, and pay the cost of having their heads shaved. Everyone will know there is nothing to those reports about you but that you too live a life in keeping with the Law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we wrote a letter about what we decided, that they avoid food offered to idols, blood, the meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality.” 26 The following day Paul took the men with him and went through the purification ritual with them. He entered the temple and publicly announced the completion of the days of purification, when the offering would be presented for each one of them.

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