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

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many [a]thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: 21 and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? they will certainly hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them; 24 these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. 25 But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we [b]wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul [c]took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:20 Greek myriads.
  2. Acts 21:25 Or, enjoined. Many ancient authorities read sent.
  3. Acts 21:26 Or, took the men the next day, and purifying himself etc.