Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, November 23rd, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Updated Bible Version

Acts 21

1 And when it came to pass 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 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.4 And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.5 And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;6 and we went onboard the ship, but they returned home again.7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brothers, and abode with them one day.

8 And on the next day we departed, and came to Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.11 And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place implored him not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul answered, What do you do, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, 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 these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.16 And there went with us also [certain] of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing [with them] one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers 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 saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his service.20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said to him, You see, brother, how many tens of thousands there are among the Jews of those that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:21 and they have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that you have come.23 Do therefore this that we say to you: We have four men that have a vow on them;24 these take, and purify yourself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning you; but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the law.25 But as concerning the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.26 Then Paul took the men the next day, having been purified with them, [and] went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

27 And 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 that teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and has defiled this holy place.29 For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the 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 laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the Colonel of the Battalion, All Jerusalem is in confusion.32 And forthwith he took soldiers and captains, and ran down on them: and they, when they saw the colonel and the soldiers, left off beating Paul.33 Then the colonel came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.34 And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle.35 And when he came on the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him."37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he says to the colonel, May I say something to you? And he said, Do you know Greek?38 Are you not 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 Jewish man, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I urge you, give me leave to speak to the people.40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand to the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

 
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