Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem
1 After we tore ourselves away from them and set sail, we came by a direct route to Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2
Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded and set sail.
3
After we sighted Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed on to Syria and arrived at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its cargo there.
4
So we found some disciples and stayed there seven days. They said to Paul through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem.
5
When our days there were over, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, escorted us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray,
6
we said good-bye to one another. Then we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
7
When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we reached Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day.
8
The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him.
9
This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10
While we were staying there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11
He came to us, took Paul's belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into Gentile hands.' "
12
When we heard this, both we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13
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."
14
Since he would not be persuaded, we stopped talking and simply said, "The Lord's will be done!"
Conflict over the Gentile Mission
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
16
Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason, a Cypriot and an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.
17
When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.
18
The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19
After greeting them, he related one by one what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20
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.
21
But they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them not to circumcise their children or to walk in our customs.
22
So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you've come.
23
Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have obligated themselves with a vow.
24
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.
25
With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality."