Acts 21:17-26

Lexham English Bible

Paul Visits the Leaders of the Jerusalem Church

¹⁷ And when^[a] we came to Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. ¹⁸ And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ And after^[b] greeting them, he began to relate^[c] one after the other^[d] the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And when^[e] they heard this,^[f] they began to glorify^[g] God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many ten thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous adherents of the law. ²¹ And they have been informed about you that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles the abandonment of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their^[h] children or to live according to our^[i] customs. ²² What then is to be done?^[j] Doubtless they will all hear that you have come! ²³ Therefore do this that we tell you: we have^[k] four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.^{[l] 24} Take these men and^[m] purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses^[n] so that they can shave their^[o] heads, and everyone will know that the things which they had been informed about you are nothing, but you yourself also agree with observing the law. ²⁵ But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter after^[p] deciding they should avoid food sacrificed to idols and blood and what has been strangled and sexual immorality.” ²⁶ Then Paul took along the men on the next day, and^[q] after he^[r] had purified himself together with them, he entered into the temple courts,^[s] announcing the completion of the days of purification until the time^[t] the offering would be presented on behalf of each one of them.