Font Size
Sirach 24:23-34
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Sirach 24:23-34
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Wisdom and the Law
23 All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God,
the law that Moses commanded us
as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob.[a](A)
25 It becomes full, like the Pishon, with wisdom
and like the Tigris at the time of the spring harvest.(B)
26 It fills up, like the Euphrates, with understanding,
and like the Jordan at harvest time.(C)
27 It pours forth instruction like the Nile,[b]
like the Gihon at the time of vintage.(D)
28 The first man did not know wisdom[c] fully,
nor will the last one fathom her.
29 For her thoughts are more abundant than the sea
and her counsel deeper than the great abyss.
30 I came forth like a canal from a river,
like a water channel into a garden.
31 I said, “I will water my garden
and drench my flower beds.”
And look, my canal became a river
and my river a sea.(E)
32 I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn,
and I will make it clear from far away.
33 I will again pour out teaching like prophecy
and leave it to all future generations.(F)
34 Observe that I have not labored for myself alone
but for all who seek wisdom.[d](G)
Acts 21:17-36
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Acts 21:17-36
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul Visits James at Jerusalem
17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us warmly.(A) 18 The next day Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were present.(B) 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the gentiles through his ministry.(C) 20 When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law.(D) 21 They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake Moses and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow.(E) 24 Join these men, go through the rite of purification with them, and pay for the shaving of their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself observe and guard the law.(F) 25 But as for the gentiles who have become believers, 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 is strangled[a] and from sexual immorality.”(G) 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself, he entered the temple with them, making public the completion of the days of purification when the sacrifice would be made for each of them.(H)
Paul Arrested in the Temple
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd. They seized him,(I) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites,[b] help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”(J) 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.(K) 30 Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut.(L) 31 While they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. When they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(M) 33 Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he was and what he had done.(N) 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another, and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.(O) 35 When Paul[c] came to the steps, the violence of the mob was so great that he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”(P)
Read full chapter
Acts 21:17-36
New International Version
Acts 21:17-36
New International Version
Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(A) received us warmly.(B) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(C) and all the elders(D) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(E) through his ministry.(F)
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(G) for the law.(H) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(I) telling them not to circumcise their children(J) or live according to our customs.(K) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(L) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(M) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(N) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(O)
26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(P)
Paul Arrested
27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(Q) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(R) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(S) the Ephesian(T) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(U) they dragged him(V) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(W)
33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(X) with two(Y) chains.(Z) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(AA) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(AB) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(AC) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(AD)
Sirach 31:1-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Sirach 31:1-11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Right Attitude toward Riches
31 Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh,
and anxiety about it drives away sleep.(A)
2 Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,
and a severe illness carries off sleep.[a]
3 Rich people toil to amass possessions,
and when they rest, they fill themselves with their delicacies.(B)
4 Poor people toil to make a meager living,
and if ever they rest, they become needy.(C)
5 Those who love gold will not be justified;
those who pursue money will be led astray[b] by it.(D)
6 Many have come to ruin because of gold,
and their destruction has met them face to face.(E)
7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it,
and every fool will be taken captive by it.
8 Blessed are the rich who are found blameless
and who do not go after gold.(F)
9 Who are they, that we may call them happy?
For they have done wonders among their people.
10 Who has been tested by it and been found perfect?
Let it be for them a ground for boasting.
Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress
and to do evil and did not do it?
11 Their prosperity will be established,[c]
and the assembly will proclaim their acts of charity.(G)
Acts 21:37-22:22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Acts 21:37-22:22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul Defends Himself
37 Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” The tribune[a] replied, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”(A) 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.”(B) 40 When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence, and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew[b] language, saying:(C)
22 “Brothers[c] and fathers, listen to the defense that I now make before you.”(D)
2 When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew,[d] they became even more quiet. Then he said:(E)
3 “I am a Jew born in Tarsus in Cilicia but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to our ancestral law, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today.(F) 4 I persecuted this Way up to the point of death by binding both men and women and putting them in prison,(G) 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.(H)
Paul Tells of His Conversion
6 “While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.(I) 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Then he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth[e] whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.(J) 10 I asked, ‘What am I to do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.’(K) 11 Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus.(L)
12 “A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there,(M) 13 came to me, and standing beside me, he said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight!’ In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear his own voice,(N) 15 for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.(O) 16 And now why do you delay? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name.’(P)
Paul Sent to the Gentiles
17 “After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance(Q) 18 and saw Jesus[f] saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.(R) 20 And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.’(S) 21 Then he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the gentiles.’ ”(T)
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”
Acts 21:37-22:22
New International Version
Acts 21:37-22:22
New International Version
Paul Speaks to the Crowd(A)
37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(B) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”
“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(C) some time ago?”(D)
39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(E) in Cilicia,(F) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”
40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(G) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:(H) 22 1 “Brothers and fathers,(I) listen now to my defense.”
2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic,(J) they became very quiet.
Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew,(K) born in Tarsus(L) of Cilicia,(M) but brought up in this city. I studied under(N) Gamaliel(O) and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.(P) I was just as zealous(Q) for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted(R) the followers of this Way(S) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,(T) 5 as the high priest and all the Council(U) can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates(V) in Damascus,(W) and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.(X) 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,(Y) whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light,(Z) but they did not understand the voice(AA) of him who was speaking to me.
10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’(AB) 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.(AC)
12 “A man named Ananias came to see me.(AD) He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.(AE) 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors(AF) has chosen you to know his will and to see(AG) the Righteous One(AH) and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness(AI) to all people of what you have seen(AJ) and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized(AK) and wash your sins away,(AL) calling on his name.’(AM)
17 “When I returned to Jerusalem(AN) and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance(AO) 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison(AP) and beat(AQ) those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr[b] Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’(AR)
21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”(AS)
Paul the Roman Citizen
22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him!(AT) He’s not fit to live!”(AU)
Footnotes
- Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2
- Acts 22:20 Or witness
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.