< Acts 21 >
1 Now, as soon as we had withdrawn from them, and had set sail, we came with a direct course to Coos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara.
2 And finding a ship passing over Phenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.
3 And coming within sight of Cyprus, and leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its freight.
4 And we continued there several days, finding disciples, who told Paul, by the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem.
5 But when we had finished these seven days, we departed, and went our way, and they all attended us out of the city, with their wives and children; and, kneeling down on the seashore, we prayed.
6 And having embraced each other, we went on board the ship; and they returned back to their own houses.
7 And finishing our course, we came from Tyre to Ptolemais, and embracing the brethren, we continued with them one day.
8 And on the next day we departed, and came to Cesarea, and entering into the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we lodged with him.
9 Now he had four virgin daughters, who were prophetesses.
10 And as we continued there many days, a certain prophet, whose name was Agabus, came down from Judea:
11 and coming to us, he took up Paul's girdle, and binding his own hands and feet, he said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose girdle this is, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and the inhabitants of that place, entreated him, that he would not go up to Jerusalem.
13 But Paul answered, What do you mean, thus 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 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased; saying, The will of the Lord be done.
15 And after these days, making up our baggage, we went up to Jerusalem.
16 And some of the disciples also from Cesarea, went along with us, and brought us to one Mnason, a Cyprian, and old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we were arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received us with pleasure.
18 And the next day Paul entered in with us to James; and all the elders were present.
19 And having embraced them, he gave them a particular account of those things which God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified God, and said to him, Brother, you see how many myriads of believing Jews there are: and they are all zealous for the law.
21 Now, they have been informed of you, that you teach all the Jews, which are among the Gentiles, to apostatize from Moses, saying, that they ought not to circumcise their children, nor to walk according to the customs.
22 What is it then? The multitude must, by all means, come together; for they will hear that you are come.
23 Therefore, do this that we say to you: there are with us four men who have a vow upon them;
24 take them, and purify yourself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all will know that there is nothing in those things which they have heard of you; but that you yourself walk regularly, keeping the law.
25 As for the believing Gentiles, we have written, determining that they should observe none of these things; except it be to keep themselves from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from that which is strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, being purified with them, entered into the temple, declaring the accomplishment of the days of purification, till an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27 But as the seven days were about to be accomplished, the Jews that were from Asia, seeing him in the temple, threw all the populace into confusion, and laid hands upon him,
28 crying out, Israelites, help! This is the man that everywhere teaches all men contrary to the people, and to the law, and to this place; and has even brought Greeks into the temple, and polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had been seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, in the city with him, whom they imagined that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And the whole city was moved, and there was a concourse of the people; and laying hold of Paul, they dragged him out of the temple: and immediately the gates were shut.
31 And when they went about to kill him, word was brought to the commander of the cohort, that all Jerusalem was in confusion:
32 who immediately took soldiers, and centurions, and ran in among them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they ceased from beating Paul.
33 Then the commander drew near, and took him; and ordered him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried out one thing, and some another: and as he could not know the certainty, by reason of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
35 But when he was upon the stairs, it came to pass that he was borne by the soldiers, because of the violence of the crowd.
36 For the multitude of the people followed, crying out, Away with him!
37 But as Paul was going to be brought into the castle, he said to the commander, May I be allowed to speak to you? And he said, Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not that Egyptian, who did, before these days, stir up a sedition, and led out into the wilderness four thousand murderers?
39 But Paul said, I am indeed a Jew, of Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no inconsiderable city; and I entreat you, permit me to speak to the people.
40 And on his giving permission, Paul standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people; and when there was a great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect, saying:
