11
He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’”
12
When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
13
But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”
14
When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
15
After this we packed our things and left for Jerusalem.
16
Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early believers.
17
When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.
18
The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present.
19
After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20
After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously.
21
But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs.