Study Desk

except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.

for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.

You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me.

In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Then Paul replied, "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."

When they heard it, they glorified God and said, "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law.

Then the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering for each of them would be made.

For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple complex.

for the mass of people followed, yelling, "Take him away!"

He continued, "I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,

"Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?' "And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.'

For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.

They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, "Wipe this person off the earth—it's a disgrace for him to live!"

As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?"

When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, "What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen."

The commander replied, "I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money." "But I was born a citizen," Paul said.

"I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest," replied Paul. "For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people. "