Acts 21 Bible Chapter

And when it came to pass that, being parted from them, we set sail, we came with a direct course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. And having found a ship sailing over to Phoenice, we went aboard, and set sail. And when we had discovered Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed into Syria, and came to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we remained there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And the days being expired, departing, we went forward, they all bringing us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the shore, we prayed. And when we had take leave of one another, we took ship: and they returned home. But we having finished the voyage by sea from Tyre, came down to Ptolemais: and saluting the brethren, we abode one day with them. And the next day departing, we came to Caesarea. And entering into the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. And he had four daughters, virgins, who did prophesy. And as we remained there for some days, there came from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come to us, he took Paul's girdle: and binding his own feet and hands, he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose girdle this is, the Jews shall so bind in Jerusalem, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we had heard this, both we, and they who were of that place, besought him not go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, and said: What do you mean, weeping and afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will of the Lord be done. And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem. And there went also with us some of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us to James, and all the ancients were assembled. And when he had saluted them, he related particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles, by his ministry. But they hearing it, glorified God, and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed: and they are all zealous for the law. Now they have heard of thee, that thou teachest those Jews, who are among the Gentiles, to forsake Moses: saying, that they ought not to circumcise their children, nor to walk according to the custom. What is it, therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do, therefore, this that we say to thee: We have four men, who have a vow upon them. Taking them, purify thyself with them: and pay for them, that they may shave their heads: and all will know that the things which they have heard of thee, are false: but that thou thyself also walkest keeping the law. A for those Gentiles who have believed, we have written, decreeing that they should refrain themselves from that which has been offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul taking the men, and the next day being purified with them, entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every one of them. But while the seven days were drawing to an end, those Jews who were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands upon him, crying out; Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and moreover hath brought in Gentiles into the temple, and hath violated this holy place. For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. And the whole city was in an uproar: and there was a rush of people. And seizing Paul, they drew him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, it was told the tribune of the band; That all Jerusalem was in confusion. Who forthwith taking with him soldiers and centurions, ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul. Then the tribune coming near, took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried out one thing, some another, among the multitude. And when he could not know the certainty, because of the tumult, he commanded him to be brought into the castle. And when he was come to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out: Away with him. And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to the tribune: May I speak something to thee? Who said: Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian, who before these days didst raise a tumult, and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were murderers? But Paul said to him: I am a Jew, a man of Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee, permit me to speak to the people. And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. And a great silence being made, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying: