Acts 21

1 And when we had torn ourselves away from them and put out to sea, we ran a straight course and came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. [a] 2 And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and put out. 3 And when we had sighted Cyprus and left it behind on the left, we sailed to Syria and came down at Tyre, for the ship was unloading its cargo there.

4 And when we had looked up the disciples we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul, through the Spirit, not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 But when our days were finished, we went out and made our way, with all of them seeing us off, with wives and children, as far as outside the city; and kneeling on the beach we prayed 6 and said goodbye to one another, and we went aboard the ship, and they went back to their own homes. 7 And we, finishing the voyage from Tyre, arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the brothers and stayed one day with them.

8 And the next day we went out and came to Caesarea, and going into the house of Philip, the one who brings the good news, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. [b] † 9 And this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And while we were staying on for a good many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea, 11 and coming to us he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: The man whose belt this is, so will the Jews bind him in Jerusalem and hand him over into the hands of the nations.” [c]

12 And when we heard these things, both we and the people of the place urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart to pieces? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we went quiet, saying, “Let the Lord’s will be done.”

15 And after these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea came with us also, bringing us to one Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple from the early days, with whom we were to lodge.

17 And when we reached Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18 And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were there. 19 And when he had greeted them he set out one by one the things God had done among the nations through his service. 20 And when they heard it they glorified God, and said to him, “You see, brother, how many tens of thousands there are among the Jews of those who have come to trust, and all of them are zealous for the law. [d] 21 And they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews among the nations to fall away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to walk by the customs. 22 What then is it? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23 “So do this that we tell you. We have four men who have a vow on themselves. [e] 24 Take these men and be purified with them, and pay the cost for them so that they may shave their heads; and everyone will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in line, keeping the law. [f] 25 But concerning the nations who have come to trust, we ourselves sent word, judging that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from sexual immorality.” [g] 26 Then Paul took the men, and on the next day, purified with them, he went into the temple, giving notice of when the days of the purification would be completed, until the offering was presented for each one of them.

27 But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid their hands on him, 28 shouting, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place; and besides, he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has made this holy place common.” [h] 29 For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him before, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

30 And the whole city was set moving, and there was a running together of the people; and they took hold of Paul and dragged him outside the temple, and at once the doors were shut. 31 And while they were seeking to kill him, word went up to the commander of a thousand of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. [i] 32 He at once took soldiers and commanders of a hundred and ran down on them; and when they saw the commander of a thousand and the soldiers they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander of a thousand came near and took hold of him and ordered him to be bound with two chains, and asked who he might be and what he had done.

34 But some in the crowd were shouting one thing and some another; and since he could not learn anything certain because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, it turned out that he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the multitude of the people were following, shouting, “Away with him!”

37 And as he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul says to the commander of a thousand, “Is it permitted for me to say something to you?” And he said, “You know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who before these days stirred up a revolt and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the dagger-men?” [j]

39 And Paul said, “I am a Jewish man, a Tarsian of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 And when he had given permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people; and when a great silence had come he called out to them in the Hebrew language, saying: [k]