7. We finished the voyage from Tyre when we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.
8. The next day we who were Paul’s companions departed, and arrived at Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9. He had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10. While we stayed there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11. When he had arrived, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet, saying, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this manner the Jews at Jerusalem shall bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12. When we heard these things, both we and the residents implored him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14. When he would not be persuaded, we kept silent and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15. After those days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
16. Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17. When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
18. On the next day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19. He greeted them and recounted one by one what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20. When they heard this, they glorified the Lord. Then they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe, and they are all zealous for the law.
21. They have been informed concerning you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to observe the customs.
22. What then shall be done? The assembly will certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23. Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow.
24. Take these men and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may have their heads shaved. Then all will know that what they were told concerning you is nothing, but that you yourself live in observance of the law.
25. As for the Gentiles who believe, we have written and concluded that they should observe no such thing, except that they abstain from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood.”
26. Then on the next day, Paul took the men and purified himself with them. And he went into the temple, announcing when the days of purification would be complete and an offering would be given for each one of them.