Acts, Chapter 21

1. And it came to pass, that after we had parted from them, and had sailed away, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from there to Patara:    2. And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.    3. Now when we had sighted Cyprus, we left it on the left side, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unload her cargo.    4. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.    5. And when we had completed those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we knelt down on the shore, and prayed.    6. And when we had taken our leave of one another, we entered the ship; and they returned home again.    7. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and greeted the believers, and stayed with them one day.    8. And the next day we who were of Paul's company departed, and came to Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven; and stayed with him.    9. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.    10. And as we remained there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.    11. And when he came to us, he took Paul's waistband, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this waistband, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.    12. And when we heard these things, both we, and those of that place, pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.    13. Then Paul answered, What are you trying to do, weep and break 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 those days we took up our baggage, and went up to Jerusalem.    16. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.    17. And when we came to Jerusalem, the believers received us gladly.    18. And the day following Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.    19. And when he had greeted them, he declared in detail what things God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry.    20. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe; and they are all zealous for the law:    21. And they are informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they should not circumcise their children, nor walk according to the customs.    22. What then should be done? The multitude will certainly come together: for they will hear that you have come.    23. Do therefore what we say to you: We have four men who have a vow on them;    24. Take them, and purify yourself with them, and help with their expenses, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, of which they were informed concerning you, are nothing; but that you yourself also walk orderly, and keep the law.    25. As for the Gentiles who believe, we have written and concluded that they should observe no such thing, except only that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication.    26. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an offering should be offered for every one of them.    27. And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews who were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,    28. Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place.    29. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)    30. And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and brought him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.    31. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.    32. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul.    33. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.    34. And some cried out one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.    35. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the people.    36. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.    37. And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to you? Who said, Can you speak Greek?    38. Are you not that Egyptian, who before these days made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?    39. But Paul said, I am a man who am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no lowly city: and, I plead with you, permit me to speak to the people.    40. And when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,