Acts 21
21
Paul Continues His Journey to Jerusalem
1After we had torn ourselves away from the Ephesian elders, we headed out to sea. We sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes. From there we continued on to Patara. 2We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia. So we went on board and headed out to sea. 3We came near Cyprus and passed to the south of it. Then we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre. There our ship was supposed to unload. 4We looked for the believers there and stayed with them for seven days. The believers tried to keep Paul from going on to Jerusalem. They were led by the Holy Spirit to do this. 5When it was time to leave, we continued on our way. All the believers, including their whole families, went with us out of the city. There on the beach we got down on our knees to pray. 6We said goodbye to each other. Then we went on board the ship. And they returned home.
7Continuing on from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais. There we greeted the brothers and sisters. We stayed with them for a day. 8The next day we left and arrived at Caesarea. We stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist. He was one of the seven deacons. 9He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
10We stayed there several days. Then a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11He came over to us. Then he took Paul’s belt and tied his own hands and feet with it. He said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘This is how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the owner of this belt. They will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
12When we heard this, we all begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13He asked, “Why are you crying? Why are you breaking my heart? I’m ready to be put in prison. In fact, I’m ready to die in Jerusalem for the Lord Jesus.” 14We couldn’t change his mind. So we gave up. We said, “May what the Lord wants to happen be done.”
15After this, we started on our way to Jerusalem. 16Some of the believers from Caesarea went with us. They brought us to Mnason’s home. We were supposed to stay there. Mnason was from Cyprus. He was one of the first believers.
Paul Arrives in Jerusalem
17When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters gave us a warm welcome. 18The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James. All the elders were there. 19Paul greeted them. Then he reported everything God had done among the Gentiles through his work.
20When they heard this, they praised God. Then they spoke to Paul. “Brother,” they said, “you see that thousands of Jews have become believers. All of them try very hard to obey the law. 21They have been told that you teach Jews to turn away from the Law of Moses. You teach this to the Jews who live among the Gentiles. They think that you teach those Jews not to circumcise their children. They think that you teach them to give up our Jewish ways. 22What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23So do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a promise to God. 24Take them with you. Join them in the Jewish practice that makes people pure and ‘clean.’ Pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that these reports about you are not true in any way. They will know that you yourself obey the law. 25We have already given written directions to the believers who are not Jews. They must not eat food that has been offered to statues of gods. They must not drink blood. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not commit sexual sins.”
26The next day Paul took the men with him. They all made themselves pure and “clean” in the usual way. Then Paul went to the temple. There he reported the date when the days of cleansing would end. At that time the proper offering would be made for each of them.
Paul Is Arrested
27The seven days of cleansing were almost over. Some Jews from Asia Minor saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and grabbed Paul. 28“Fellow Israelites, help us!” they shouted. “This is the man who teaches everyone in all places against our people. He speaks against our law and against this holy place. Besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple. He has made this holy place ‘unclean.’ ” 29They said this because they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul. They thought Paul had brought him into the temple.
30The whole city was stirred up. People came running from all directions. They grabbed Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Right away the temple gates were shut. 31The people were trying to kill Paul. But news reached the commander of the Roman troops. He heard that people were making trouble in the whole city of Jerusalem. 32Right away he took some officers and soldiers with him. They ran down to the crowd. The people causing the trouble saw the commander and his soldiers. So they stopped beating Paul.
33The commander came up and arrested Paul. He ordered him to be held with two chains. Then he asked who Paul was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another. But the commander couldn’t get the facts because of all the noise. So he ordered that Paul be taken into the fort. 35Paul reached the steps. But then the mob became so wild that he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”
Paul Speaks to the Crowd
37The soldiers were about to take Paul into the fort. Then he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”
“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38“Aren’t you the Egyptian who turned some of our people against their leaders? Didn’t you lead 4,000 terrorists out into the desert some time ago?”
39Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia. I am a citizen of an important city. Please let me speak to the people.”
40The commander told him he could. So Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When all of them were quiet, he spoke to them in the Aramaic language.
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Acts 21: NIrV
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Acts 21
21
Paul Travels on to Jerusalem
1 And it happened that after we tore ourselves away#*Here the participle (“tore ourselves away”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style from them, we put out to sea, and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous infinitive (“put out to sea”) has been translated as a finite verb running a straight course we came to Cos and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2And finding a ship that was crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went aboard”) has been translated as a finite verb put out to sea. 3And after we#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sighted”) which is understood as temporal sighted Cyprus and left it behind on the port side,#Literally “left” we sailed to Syria and arrived at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun cargo there. 4And we stayed there seven days after we#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found”) which is understood as temporal found the disciples, who kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5And it happened that when our days were over, we departed and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“departed”) has been translated as a finite verb went on our way, while#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“accompanied”) all of them accompanied us, together with their#*The word “their” is not in the Greek text but is implied wives and children, as far as outside the city. And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“falling to”) which is understood as temporal falling to our knees on the beach and#*Here “and” is supplied to join this and the previous participle (“falling to”) in keeping with English style praying, 6we said farewell to one another and embarked in the ship, and they returned to their own homes.
7And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had completed”) which is understood as temporal we had completed the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. And after we#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“greeted”) which is understood as temporal greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them. 8And on the next day we departed and#*Here “and” is supplied to join this and the previous participle (“departed”) in keeping with English style came to Caesarea, and entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and#*Here “and” is supplied to join this and the previous participle (“was”) in keeping with English style stayed with him. 9(Now this man had#Literally “now to this man were” four virgin daughters who prophesied.)
10And while we#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were staying”) were staying there#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation many days, a certain prophet named#Literally “by name” Agabus came down from Judea. 11And he came to us and took Paul’s belt. Tying up his own feet and hands, he said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12And when we heard these things, both we and the local residents urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul replied, “What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!” 14And because#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“be persuaded”) he would not be persuaded, we remained silent, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
15So after these days we got ready and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got ready”) has been translated as a finite verb went up to Jerusalem. 16And some of the disciples from Caesarea also traveled together with us, bringing us#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing,#Or perhaps “one of the original disciples” with whom we were to be entertained as guests.
Paul Visits the Leaders of the Jerusalem Church
17And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“came”) we came to Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. 18And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“greeting”) which is understood as temporal greeting them, he began to relate#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to relate”) one after the other#Literally “with respect to each one” the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal they heard this,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation they began to glorify#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to glorify”) God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many ten thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous adherents of the law. 21And they have been informed about you that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles the abandonment of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun children or to live according to our#Literally “according to the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun customs. 22What then is to be done?#Literally “is it” Doubtless they will all hear that you have come! 23Therefore do this that we tell you: we have#Literally “there are to us” four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.#Some manuscripts have “on themselves” 24Take these men and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“take”) has been translated as a finite verb purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses#Literally “spend on them” so that they can shave their#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun heads, and everyone will know that the things which they had been informed about you are nothing, but you yourself also agree with observing the law. 25But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“deciding”) which is understood as temporal deciding they should avoid food sacrificed to idols and blood and what has been strangled and sexual immorality.” 26Then Paul took along the men on the next day, and#*Here “and” has been supplied in keeping with English style after he#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had purified”) which is understood as temporal had purified himself together with them, he entered into the temple courts,#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself announcing the completion of the days of purification until the time#Literally “which time” the offering would be presented on behalf of each one of them.
Paul Arrested in the Temple Courts
27But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia#A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor) who had seen him in the temple courts#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28shouting, “Israelite men, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place! And furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!” 29(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30And the whole city was stirred up, and the people came running together, and they seized Paul and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“seized”) has been translated as a finite verb dragged him outside of the temple courts,#*Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself and immediately the doors were shut.
31And as they#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were seeking”) were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32He#Literally “who” immediately took along soldiers and centurions and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took along”) has been translated as a finite verb ran down to them. And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal they saw the military tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33Then the military tribune came up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb arrested him and ordered him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what it was that he had done. 34But some in the crowd were shouting one thing and others another, and because#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“able”) he was not able to find out the truth on account of the commotion, he gave orders to bring him into the barracks.#Or “headquarters” 35And when he came to the steps, it happened that he had to be carried by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd, 36for the crowd of people was following them,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation shouting, “Away with him!”
Paul Permitted to Address the Crowd
37And as he#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was about to”) which is understood as temporal was about to be brought into the barracks,#Or “headquarters” Paul said to the military tribune, “Is it permitted for me to say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38Then you are not the Egyptian who before these days raised a revolt and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?”#Also known as the “Sicarii” from the Latin word “sicarius” = dagger, after the short dagger used to assassinate political opponents 39But Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no unimportant city. Now I ask you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40So when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“permitted”) he permitted him,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation Paul, standing there on the steps, motioned with his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun hand to the people. And when there#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”) was a great silence, he addressed them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation in the Aramaic language, saying,
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