Acts 21:1–25
21 And it happened that after we tore ourselves away* from them, we put out to sea, and* running a straight course we came to Cos and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship that was crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and* put out to sea. 3 And after we* sighted Cyprus and left it behind ⌊on the port side⌋,a we sailed to Syria and arrived at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its* cargo there. 4 And we stayed there seven days after we* found the disciples, who kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 And it happened that when our days were over, we departed and* went on our way, while* all of them accompanied us, together with their* wives and children, as far as outside the city. And after* falling to our knees on the beach and* praying, 6 we said farewell to one another and embarked in the ship, and they returned to their own homes.
7 And when* we had completed the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. And after we* greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them. 8 And on the next day we departed and* came to Caesarea, and entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and* stayed with him. 9 (⌊Now this man had⌋b four virgin daughters who prophesied.)
10 And while we* were staying there* many days, a certain prophet ⌊named⌋c Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And he came to us and took Paul’s belt. Tying up his own feet and hands, he said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him* into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 And when we heard these things, both we and the local residents urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!” 14 And because* he would not be persuaded, we remained silent, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
15 So after these days we got ready and* went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea also traveled together with us, bringing us* to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing,d with whom we were to be entertained as guests.
Paul Visits the Leaders of the Jerusalem Church
17 And when* we came to Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 And after* greeting them, he began to relate* ⌊one after the other⌋e the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when* they heard this,* they began to glorify* God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many ten thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous adherents of the law. 21 And they have been informed about you that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles the abandonment of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their* children or to live according to ourf customs. 22 What then ⌊is to be done⌋?g Doubtless they will all hear that you have come! 23 Therefore do this that we tell you: ⌊we have⌋h four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.i 24 Take these men and* purify yourself along with them and ⌊pay their expenses⌋j so that they can shave their* heads, and everyone will know that the things which they had been informed about you are nothing, but you yourself also agree with observing the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter after* deciding they should avoid food sacrificed to idols and blood and what has been strangled and sexual immorality.”