Acts 21
Worsley's New Testament Par ▾ 

Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

1Now as soon as we had parted from them, and set sail, we came in a strait course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. 2And finding a ship there, which was passing over to Phenicia, we went aboard it, and set sail. 3And coming in fight of Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed to Syria, and came down to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade. 4And we stayed there seven days; having met with some disciples: who told Paul by the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem. 5But when we had completed these days, we departed and went our way, all of them attending us with their wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. 6And having taken leave of each other, we went into the ship, and they returned home.

7And we finishing our voyage, came down from Tyre to Ptolemais, and saluting the brethren stayed with them one day.

Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

8On the morrow Paul and those that were with him departed from Ptolemais, and came to Cesarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons, we stayed with him. 9And he had four daughters virgins, that were prophetesses. 10And as we abode there several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus: 11and he came to us, and taking up Paul's girdle, and binding his own hands and feet, he said, Thus saith the holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose girdle this is, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place intreated him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13But Paul answered, What do ye mean, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And as he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15And after these days were expired, we packed up our things, and went to Jerusalem. 16And there went also with us from Cesarea some of the disciples, who brought us to one Mnason a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us with joy. 18And the next day Paul went in with us to James: and all the elders were present. 19And when he had saluted them, he gave a particular narrative of the things which God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of the believing Jews, and they are all zealous for the law. 21And they have heard of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, to forsake the law of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after our customs. 22What then is to be done? The people must necessarily meet together; for they will hear that thou art come. 23Do this therefore, which we advise thee. Here are four men with us, that have a vow upon them: take these and be purified with them, 24and join in their expences, that they may shave their head: and that all may know, that there is nothing in what they have heard of thee; but thou thyself walkest according to the law. 25But as to the believing Gentiles, we have written and determined, that they need observe no such thing; only to keep themselves from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from any thing strangled, and from fornication. 26Then Paul took the men, and the next day being purified with them entered into the temple to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification till an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Paul Seized at the Temple

27But when the seven days were near ended, the Jews that came from Asia seeing him in the temple, raised a tumult among the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, help: 28this is the man that teaches all men every where against the people of the Jews, and the law, and this sacred place? and besides, hath brought Greeks too into the temple, and polluted this holy place. 29(For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought Paul had brought into the temple.) 30And the whole city was moved, and there was a concourse of the people: and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the gates were shut. 31And as they were going to kill him, a report came to the tribune of the cohort, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar: 32who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the chiliarch and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul. 33Then the commanding officer came near and took him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and inquired, who he was, and what he had done. 34But some in the croud bawled out one thing and some another: and as he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. 35And when he was upon the stairs, he was even borne by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people. 36For the multitude followed crying out, Away with him.

Paul Addresses the Crowd

37And as Paul was going to be led into the castle, he said to the tribune, May I be allowed to speak a word to thee? And he said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38Art not thou that Egyptian, who before this madest a sedition, and didst lead out into the wilderness four thousand murtherers? 39But Paul said, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beg thou wouldest permit me to speak to the people. 40And when he gave him leave, Paul standing on the stairs made a sign with the hand to the people: and there being a great silence made, He spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,


Worsley's New Testament (1770)

Digital Text Courtesy TheWord.net Bible Software.

Section Headings Courtesy Berean Bible.

Acts 20
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