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 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)

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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