Shared Word Translation
Acts 21
Paul Goes to Jerusalem
And when it happened that we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara; and finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we were sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days, and through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
But when our days were ended, we went out and continued our journey, and they all, with wives and children, were accompanying us until we were outside the city, and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and said farewell to one another; then we went on board the ship, and they returned to their own homes.
And finishing the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and greeting the brothers, we stayed with them one day. And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
Now this man had four unmarried daughters who were prophesying.
And as we were staying there many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea, and coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man to whom this belt belongs and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
And when we heard these things, both we and those from that place were urging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 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 in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, saying, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
Paul Visits James
And after these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. And some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing us to Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
And when we came to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
And after greeting them, he began to relate one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And hearing it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
and they have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Therefore do this that we tell you: we have four men who have a vow upon themselves; take these men and purify yourself with them and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.
But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we sent a letter, having decided that they should keep themselves from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled and from sexual immorality.”
Then Paul took the men, and on the next day, purifying himself with them, he entered into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be completed and the offering presented for each one of them.
Paul Arrested in the Temple
And when the seven days were nearly completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “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 defiled this holy place.”
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.
And the whole city was stirred up, and the people ran together, and seizing Paul, they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
Immediately taking soldiers and centurions, he ran down to them; and seeing the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came near and seized him and ordered him to be bound with two chains, and he inquired who he was and what he had done.
But some in the crowd were shouting one thing, others another; and not being able to know the truth because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came upon the steps, it happened that he was being carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the multitude of the people was following, crying out, “Away with him!”
Paul Speaks to the Tribune
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “Is it permitted for me to say something to you?” He said, “Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who before these days stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins into the wilderness?” Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I ask you, permit me to speak to the people.” When he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When a great silence came, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: