Acts 21
1 When we had torn ourselves away and had set sail, we ran before the wind to Cos; the next day we came to Rhodes, and from there to Patara,
And after these things had happened, having reluctantly parted from them, we sailed a direct course, arriving at Cos, and on following the day at Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2 where we found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, and went on board and set sail.
And when we had found a ship sailing across to Phoenicia, climbing aboard, we set sail.
3 After sighting Cyprus and leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria, and put into Tyre, where the ship was to discharge her cargo.
Then, after we had caught sight of Cyprus, keeping it to the left, we sailed on to Syria, and we arrived at Tyre. For the ship was going to unload its cargo there.
4 There we found the disciples and stayed a week with them. Speaking under the influence of the Spirit, they warned Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem.
Then, having found the disciples, we lodged there for seven days. And they were saying to Paul, through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 However, when we had come to the end of our visit, we went on our way, all the disciples with their wives and children escorting us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach, and prayed,
And when the days were completed, setting out, we went on; and they all accompanied us with their wives and children, until we were outside of the city. And we kneeled down at the shore and prayed.
6 and then said good-bye to one another; after which we went on board, and they returned home.
And when we had said farewell to one another, we climbed aboard the ship. And they returned to their own.
7 After we had made the run from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, and exchanged greetings with the Brethren there, and spent a day with them.
Yet truly, having completed our journey by boat from Tyre, we descended to Ptolemais. And greeting the brothers, we lodged with them for one day.
8 The next day we left, and reached Caesarea, where we went to the house of Philip, the Missionary, who was one of ‘the Seven,’ and stayed with him.
Then, after setting out the next day, we arrived at Caesarea. And upon entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
9 He had four unmarried daughters, who had the gift of prophecy.
Now this man had four daughters, virgins, who were prophesying.
10 During our visit, which lasted several days, a Prophet, named Agabus, came down from Judea.
And while we were delayed for some days, a certain prophet from Judea, named Agabus, arrived.
11 He came to see us, and, taking Paul’s girdle, and binding his own feet and hands with it, said: “This is what the Holy Spirit says — ‘The man to whom this girdle belongs will be bound like this at Jerusalem by the Jews, and they will give him up to the Gentiles’.”
And he, when he had come to us, took Paul’s belt, and binding his own feet and hands, he said: “Thus says the Holy Spirit: The man whose belt this is, the Jews will bind in this way at Jerusalem. And they will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”
12 When we heard that, we and the people of the place began to entreat Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
And when we had heard this, both we and those who were from that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 It was then that Paul made the reply: “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart like this? For my part, I am ready not only to be bound, but even to suffer death at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
Then Paul responded by saying: “What do you accomplish by weeping and afflicting my heart? For I am prepared, not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So, as he would not be persuaded, we said no more to him, only adding — “The Lord’s will be done.”
And since we were not able to persuade him, we quieted, saying: “May the will of the Lord be done.”
15 At the end of our visit, we made our preparations, and started on our way up to Jerusalem.
Then, after those days, having made preparations, we ascended to Jerusalem.
16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, and brought Mnason with them, a Cypriot disciple of long standing, with whom we were to stay.
Now some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing with them a certain Cypriot named Mnason, a very old disciple, whose guests we would be.
17 On our arrival at Jerusalem, the Brethren there gave us a hearty welcome;
And when we had arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us willingly.
18 and the next day Paul went with us to see James, and all the Officers of the Church were present.
Then, on the following day, Paul entered with us to James. And all the elders were assembled.
19 After greeting them, Paul related in detail all that God had done among the Gentiles through his efforts;
And when he had greeted them, he explained each thing that God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 and, when they had heard it, they began praising God, and said to Paul: “You see, Brother, that the Jews who have become believers in Christ may be numbered by tens of thousands, and they are all naturally earnest in upholding the Jewish Law.
And they, upon hearing it, magnified God and said to him: “You understand, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.
21 Now they have heard it said about you, that you teach all Jews in foreign countries to forsake Moses, for you tell them not to circumcise their children or even to observe Jewish customs.
Now they have heard about you, that you are teaching those Jews who are among the Gentiles to withdraw from Moses, telling them that they should not circumcise their sons, nor act according to custom.
22 Well now, as they are certain to hear of your arrival, do what we are going to suggest.
What is next? The multitude ought to be convened. For they will hear that you have arrived.
23 We have four men here, who have of their own accord put themselves under a vow.
Therefore, do this thing that we ask of you: We have four men, who are under a vow.
24 Join these men, share their purification, and bear their expenses, so that they may shave their heads; and then all will see that there is no truth in what they have been told about you, but that, on the contrary, you yourself rule your life in obedience to the Jewish Law.
Take these and sanctify yourself with them, and require them to shave their heads. And then everyone will know that the things that they have heard about you are false, but that you yourself walk in keeping with the law.
25 As to the Gentiles who have become believers in Christ, we have sent our decision that they should avoid food offered to idols, and blood, and the flesh of strangled animals, and impurity.”
But, about those Gentiles who have believed, we have written a judgment that they should keep themselves from what has been immolated to idols, and from blood, and from what has been suffocated, and from fornication.”
26 On this, Paul joined the men, and the next day shared their purification, and went into the Temple, and gave notice of the expiration of the period of purification when the usual offering should have been made on behalf of each of them.
Then Paul, taking the men on the next day, was purified with them, and he entered the temple, announcing the process of the days of purification, until an oblation would be offered on behalf of each one of them.
27 But, just as the seven days were drawing to a close, the Jews from Roman Asia caught sight of Paul in the Temple, and caused great excitement among all the people present, by seizing Paul and shouting:
But when the seven days were reaching completion, those Jews who were from Asia, when they had seen him in the temple, incited all the people, and they laid hands on him, crying out:
28 “Men of Israel! help! This is the man who teaches every one everywhere against our People, our Law, and this Place; and, what is more, he has actually brought Greeks into the Temple and defiled this sacred place.”
“Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching, everyone, everywhere, against the people and the law and this place. Furthermore, he has even brought Gentiles into the temple, and he has violated this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in Paul’s company in the city, and were under the belief that Paul had taken him into the Temple.)
(For they had seen Trophimus, an Ephesian, in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
30 The whole city was stirred, and the people quickly collected, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the Temple, when the doors were immediately shut.
And the entire city was stirred up. And it happened that the people ran together. And apprehending Paul, they dragged him outside of the temple. And immediately the doors were closed.
31 They were bent upon killing him, when it was reported to the Officer commanding the garrison, that all Jerusalem was in commotion.
Then, as they were seeking to kill him, it was reported to the tribune of the cohort: “All Jerusalem is in confusion.”
32 He instantly got together some officers and men, and charged down upon the crowd, who, when they saw the Commanding Officer and his men, stopped beating Paul.
And so, immediately taking soldiers and centurions, he rushed down to them. And when they had seen the tribune and the soldiers, they ceased to strike Paul.
33 Then he went up to Paul, arrested him, ordered him to be doubly chained, and proceeded to inquire who he was, and what he had been doing.
Then the tribune, drawing near, apprehended him and ordered that he be bound with two chains. And he was asking who he was and what he had done.
34 Some of the crowd said one thing, and some another; and, as he could get no definite reply on account of the uproar, he ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks.
Then they were crying out various things within the crowd. And since he could not understand anything clearly because of the noise, he ordered him to be brought into the fortress.
35 When Paul reached the steps, he was actually being carried by the soldiers, owing to the violence of the mob;
And when he had arrived at the stairs, it happened that he was carried up by the soldiers, because of the threat of violence from the people.
36 for the people were following in a mass, shouting out: “Kill him!”
For the multitude of the people were following and crying out, “Take him away!”
37 Just as he was about to be taken into the Fort, Paul said to the Commanding Officer: “May I speak to you?” “Do you know Greek?” asked the Commanding Officer.
And as Paul was beginning to be brought into the fortress, he said to the tribune, “Is it permissible for me to say something to you?” And he said, “You know Greek?
38 “Are not you, then, the Egyptian who some time ago raised an insurrection and led the four thousand Bandits out into the Wilderness?”
So then, are you not that Egyptian who before these days incited a rebellion and led out into the desert four thousand murderous men?”
39 “No,” said Paul, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of a city of some note; and I beg you to give me permission to speak to the people.”
But Paul said to him: “I am a man, indeed a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of a well-known city. So I petition you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 The Commanding Officer gave his permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, made signs with his hand to the people, and, when comparative silence had been obtained, he spoke to them in Hebrew, as follows:
And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned with his hand to the people. And when a great silence occurred, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:
