Chapter 21
1 When we had departed from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos , and the next day to Rhodes , and from there to Patara .
2 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia , we went aboard and set sail.
3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus , leaving it on the left hand , we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre , for the ship was there to unload her cargo .
4 Having found disciples , we stayed there seven days . These said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem .
5 When those days were over , we departed and went on our journey . They all , with wives and children , brought us on our way until we were out of the city . Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed .
6 After saying goodbye to each other , we went on board the ship , and they returned home again .
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre , we arrived at Ptolemais . We greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day .
8 On the next day , we who were Paul ’s companions departed and came to Caesarea . We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist , who was one of the seven , and stayed with him .
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied .
10 As we stayed there some days , a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea .
11 Coming to us and taking Paul ’s belt , he bound his own feet and hands , and said , " The Holy Spirit says : ‘ So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt , and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles .’"
12 When we heard these things , both we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem .
13 Then Paul answered , " What are you doing , 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 When he would not be persuaded , we ceased , saying , " The Lord ’ s will be done ."
15 After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem .
16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us , bringing one Mnason of Cyprus , an early disciple , with whom we would stay.
17 When we had come to Jerusalem , the brothers received us gladly.
18 The day following , Paul went in with us to James ; and all the elders were present .
19 When he had greeted them , he reported one by one the things which God had worked amongst the Gentiles through his ministry .
20 They , when they heard it , glorified God . They said to him , " You see , brother, how many thousands there are amongst the Jews of those who have believed , and they are all zealous for the law .
21 They have been informed about you , that you teach all the Jews who are amongst the Gentiles to forsake Moses , telling them not to circumcise their children and not to walk after the customs .
22 What then ? The assembly must certainly meet , for they will hear that you have come .
23 Therefore do what we tell you . We have four men who have taken a vow .
24 Take them and purify yourself with them , and pay their expenses for them , that they may shave their heads . Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you , but that you yourself also walk keeping the law .
25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe , we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing , except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols , from blood, from strangled things , and from sexual immorality ."
26 Then Paul took the men , and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple , declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them .
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia , when they saw him in the temple , stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him ,
28 crying out , " Men of Israel , help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people , and the law , and this place . Moreover , he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place !"
29 For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city , and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple .
30 All the city was moved and the people ran together . They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple . Immediately the doors were shut .
31 As they were trying to kill him , news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar .
32 Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them . They , when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers , stopped beating Paul .
33 Then the commanding officer came near , arrested him , commanded him to be bound with two chains , and enquired who he was and what he had done .
34 Some shouted one thing and some another , amongst the crowd . When he couldn’ t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks .
35 When he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd ;
36 for the multitude of the people followed after , crying out , "Away with him !"
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks , he asked the commanding officer, " May I speak to you ?" He said , " Do you know Greek ?
38 Aren’ t you then the Egyptian who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins ?"
39 But Paul said , " I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia , a citizen of no insignificant city . I beg you , allow me to speak to the people ."
40 When he had given him permission , Paul , standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people . When there was a great silence , he spoke to them in the Hebrew language , saying ,