Acts 21

Acts 21

1When we had departed from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos , and the next day to Rhodes , and from there to Patara .

2Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia , we went aboard and set sail.

3When we had come in sight of Cyprus , leaving it on the left hand , we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre , for the ship was there to unload her cargo .

4Having found disciples , we stayed there seven days . These said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem .

5When those days were over , we departed and went on our journey . They all , with wives and children , brought us on our way until we were out of the city . Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed .

6After saying goodbye to each other , we went on board the ship , and they returned home again .

7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre , we arrived at Ptolemais . We greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day .

8On the next day , we who were Paul ’s companions departed and came to Caesarea .

We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist , who was one of the seven , and stayed with him .

9Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied .

10As we stayed there some days , a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea .

11Coming to us and taking Paul ’s belt , he bound his own feet and hands , and said , “The Holy Spirit says : ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt , and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles .’”

12When we heard these things , both we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem .

13Then Paul answered , “What are you doing , weeping and breaking my heart ? For I am ready not only to be bound , but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus .”

14When he would not be persuaded , we ceased , saying , “The Lord ’s will be done .”

15After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem .

16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us , bringing one Mnason of Cyprus , an early disciple , with whom we would stay.

17When we had come to Jerusalem , the brothers received us gladly.

18The day following , Paul went in with us to James ; and all the elders were present .

19When he had greeted them , he reported one by one the things which God had worked amongst the Gentiles through his ministry .

20They , when they heard it , glorified God . They said to him , “You see , brother, how many thousands there are amongst the Jews of those who have believed , and they are all zealous for the law .

21They have been informed about you , that you teach all the Jews who are amongst the Gentiles to forsake Moses , telling them not to circumcise their children and not to walk after the customs .

22What then ? The assembly must certainly meet , for they will hear that you have come .

23Therefore do what we tell you . We have four men who have taken a vow .

24Take them and purify yourself with them , and pay their expenses for them , that they may shave their heads . Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you , but that you yourself also walk keeping the law .

25But concerning the Gentiles who believe , we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing , except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols , from blood, from strangled things , and from sexual immorality .”

26Then Paul took the men , and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple , declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them .

27When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia , when they saw him in the temple , stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him ,

28crying out , “Men of Israel , help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people , and the law , and this place . Moreover , he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place !”

29For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian , with him in the city , and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple .

30All the city was moved and the people ran together . They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple . Immediately the doors were shut .

31As they were trying to kill him , news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar .

32Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them . They , when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers , stopped beating Paul .

33Then the commanding officer came near , arrested him , commanded him to be bound with two chains , and enquired who he was and what he had done .

34Some shouted one thing and some another , amongst the crowd . When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks .

35When he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd ;

36for the multitude of the people followed after , crying out , “Away with him !”

37As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks , he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you ?”

He said , “Do you know Greek ?

38Aren’t you then the Egyptian who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins ?”

39But Paul said , “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia , a citizen of no insignificant city . I beg you , allow me to speak to the people .”

40When he had given him permission , Paul , standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people . When there was a great silence , he spoke to them in the Hebrew language , saying ,

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