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In Jerusalem

17 And after we arrived in Jerusalem, (A)the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to (B)James, and all (C)the elders were present. 19 And after he had greeted them, he (D)began to relate one by one the things which God did among the Gentiles through his (E)ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began (F)glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many [a]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 forsake Moses, telling them (I)not to circumcise their children nor to [b]walk according to (J)the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who [c](K)are under a vow; 24 take them and (L)purify yourself along with them, and [d]pay their expenses so that they may (M)shave their [e]heads. Then all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, (N)having decided that they should keep from [f]meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul [g]took the men, and the next day, (O)purifying himself along with them, (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 21:20 Lit ten thousands
  2. Acts 21:21 Observe or live by
  3. Acts 21:23 Lit have a vow on them
  4. Acts 21:24 Lit spend on them
  5. Acts 21:24 Lit head
  6. Acts 21:25 Lit the thing
  7. Acts 21:26 Or took the men the next day, and purifying himself

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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