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. 2 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went
aboard, and set sail. 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. 4 Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days.
These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
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.
6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they
returned home again.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We
greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. 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. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who
prophesied. 10 As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named
Agabus came down from Judea. 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.’”
12 When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him
not to go up to Jerusalem. 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.”
14 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be
done.”
15 After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one
Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.
17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
18 The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders
were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the
things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.
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 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. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will
hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you. We have four
men who have taken a vow. 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. 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.”
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.
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, 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!”
29 For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and
they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
35 When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the
soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36 for the multitude of the
people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!” 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? 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?”
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.”
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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