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)