The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 21
{21:1} When it happened that we had parted 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. {21:2} Having found a ship crossing
over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. {21:3} When we had
come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to
Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
{21:4} Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said
to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
{21:5} When it happened that we had accomplished the days, 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. {21:6} After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board
the ship, and they returned home again.
{21:7} When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at
Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.
{21:8} On 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. {21:9} Now this man had four virgin
daughters who prophesied. {21:10} As we stayed there some days, a
certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. {21:11} Coming to
us, and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said,
"Thus says the Holy Spirit: 'So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the
man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the
Gentiles.'"
{21:12} When we heard these things, both we and they of that place
begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. {21:13} Then 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."
{21:14} When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The
Lord's will be done."
{21:15} After these days we took up our baggage and went up to
Jerusalem. {21:16} Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with
us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we
would stay.
{21:17} When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us
gladly. {21:18} The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and
all the elders were present. {21:19} When he had greeted them, he
reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles
through his ministry. {21:20} They, when they heard it, glorified God.
They said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are
among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous
for the law. {21:21} They have been informed about you, that you teach
all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them
not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.
{21:22} What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will
hear that you have come. {21:23} Therefore do what we tell you. We
have four men who have taken a vow. {21:24} Take 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. {21:25} But 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."
{21:26} Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself
and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the
days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of
them. {21:27} When 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, {21:28} crying 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!" {21:29} For they had seen Trophimus,
the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had
brought him into the temple.
{21:30} All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They
seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors
were shut. {21:31} As they were trying to kill him, news came up to
the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an
uproar. {21:32} Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran
down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers,
stopped beating Paul. {21:33} Then the commanding officer came near,
arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired
who he was and what he had done. {21:34} Some shouted one thing, and
some another, among the crowd. When he couldn't find out the truth
because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.
{21:35} When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried
by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; {21:36} for the
multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!"
{21:37} As 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? {21:38} Aren'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?"
{21:39} But 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."
{21:40} When 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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