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 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.

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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