1 After we parted from them we set sail with a straight course to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and then to Patara.
2 We went aboard a ship sailing to Phoenicia.
3 We passed to the south of Cyprus and sailed to Syria. We landed at Tyre where the ship unloaded its cargo.
4 Having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. Guided by the Spirit the disciples urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
5 When the time came we left there and went on our journey. All the disciples, their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. We knelt down on the beach and prayed, and said goodbye.
6 We went on board the ship as they returned home.
7 We traveled from Tyre to Ptolemais where the brothers greeted us and we stayed with them one day.
8 The next morning we left for Caesarea where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist and one of the seven.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.
10 As we stayed there several days, a prophet came from Judea, named Agabus.
11 Coming to us he took Pauls belt and bound his own feet and hands. He said: »The Holy Spirit says, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the nations.«
12 When we heard this everyone pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
13 Why do you weep and break my heart? Paul answered: »For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.«
14 He would not be dissuaded. So we ceased, saying: The will of God be done!
15 We packed our baggage and went to Jerusalem.
16 The disciples from Caesarea brought us to the home of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we stayed.
17 The brothers in Jerusalem received us gladly.
18 The following day Paul went with us to James and the elders.
19 After Paul greeted them he reported in detail what God had done among the nations through his ministry.
20 Those who heard it glorified God. They said to him: »You see brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed. They are all zealous for the law.
21 »They have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the nations to forsake Moses. You tell them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.
22 »What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you are here.
23 Do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow.
24 Take these men and join in on their purification rites. Let them shave their heads. All will know there is no truth in the things they have heard about you, that you walk orderly and keep the law.
25 Concerning those of the nations who have believed, we write: 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 and became purified with them. They went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple stirred up the entire crowd and laid hands on him.
28 They shouted: »Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and defiled this holy place.«
29 They had previously been with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple.
30 The entire city was aroused, and the people ran together from all directions. They laid hold on Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. Immediately the doors were shut.
31 They were seeking to kill him when tidings came to the military commander of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
32 At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When they saw the military commander and the soldiers they quit beating Paul.
33 Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. The commander could not find out the facts because of the uproar so he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.
35 Paul reached the steps. The violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.
36 The mob followed closely and shouted: »Away with him!«
37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, »Might I say something to you?« He replied: »Do you know Greek?
38 »Are you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand assassins into the desert?«
39 But Paul said, »I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people.«
40 The commander gave permission so Paul stood on the stairs, motioned to the people. When there was silence he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying: