the Fourth Week of Advent
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Hebrew Names Version
Acts 21
1 When it happened that we had parted 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 Aram, and landed at Tzor, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 4 Having found talmidim, we stayed there seven days. These said to Sha'ul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Yerushalayim. 5 When it happened that we had accomplished the days, 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 Tzor, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.
8 On the next day, we, who were Sha'ul's companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Pilipos 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 Agav came down from Yehudah. 11 Coming to us, and taking Sha'ul's belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Ruach HaKodesh: 'So will the Yehudim at Yerushalayim bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Goyim.'" 12 When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Yerushalayim. 13 Then Sha'ul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Yerushalayim for the name of the Lord Yeshua." 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 Yerushalayim. 16 Some of the talmidim from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early talmid, with whom we would stay. 17 When we had come to Yerushalayim, the brothers received us gladly. 18 The day following, Sha'ul went in with us to Ya`akov; and all the Zakenim were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Goyim through his ministry. 20 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Yehudim 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 Yehudim who are among the Goyim to forsake Moshe, telling them not to circumcise their children neither 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 a vow on them. 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 Goyim 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 Sha'ul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Yehudim from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, "Men of Yisra'el, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Yevanim 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 Sha'ul had brought him into the temple. 30 All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Sha'ul 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 Yerushalayim 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 Sha'ul. 33 Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some shouted one thing, and some another, among 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, it happened that 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 Sha'ul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, "May I say something to you?" He said, "Do you know Yevanit? 38 Aren't you then the Mitzrian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?" 39 But Sha'ul said, "I am a Yehudi, 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, Sha'ul, 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,