10. We had been there several days when a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11. He came up to us, took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, “Thus says the holy Spirit: This is the way the Jews will bind the owner of this belt in Jerusalem, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles.”
12. When we heard this, we and the local residents begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13. Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? I am prepared not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14. Since he would not be dissuaded we let the matter rest, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”
15. After these days we made preparations for our journey, then went up to Jerusalem.
16. Some of the disciples from Caesarea came along to lead us to the house of Mnason, a Cypriot, a disciple of long standing, with whom we were to stay.
17. When we reached Jerusalem the brothers welcomed us warmly.
18. The next day, Paul accompanied us on a visit to James, and all the presbyters were present.
19. He greeted them, then proceeded to tell them in detail what God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20. They praised God when they heard it but said to him, “Brother, you see how many thousands of believers there are from among the Jews, and they are all zealous observers of the law.
21. They have been informed that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to abandon Moses and that you are telling them not to circumcise their children or to observe their customary practices.
22. What is to be done? They will surely hear that you have arrived.
23. So do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow.
24. Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses that they may have their heads shaved. In this way everyone will know that there is nothing to the reports they have been given about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law.
25. As for the Gentiles who have come to believe, we sent them our decision that they abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage.”
26. So Paul took the men, and on the next day after purifying himself together with them entered the temple to give notice of the day when the purification would be completed and the offering made for each of them.