Old Testament

New Testament

Acts 21:1-14 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

1. After we had torn ourselves away from the Ephesian elders, we headed out to sea. We sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes. From there we continued on to Patara.

2. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia. So we went on board and headed out to sea.

3. We came near Cyprus and passed to the south of it. Then we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre. There our ship was supposed to unload.

4. We found the believers there and stayed with them for seven days. Led by the Holy Spirit, they tried to get Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

5. But when it was time to leave, we continued on our way. All the believers and their families went with us out of the city. There on the beach we got down on our knees to pray.

6. We said good-by to each other. Then we went on board the ship. And they returned home.

7. Continuing on from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais. There we greeted the brothers and sisters. We stayed with them for a day.

8. The next day we left and arrived at Caesarea. We stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist. He was one of the seven deacons.

9. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

10. We stayed there several days. Then a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

11. He came over to us. Then he took Paul's belt and tied his own hands and feet with it. He said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'This is how the Jews of Jerusalem will tie up the owner of this belt. They will hand him over to people who are not Jews.' "

12. When we heard this, we all begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

13. He asked, "Why are you crying? Why are you breaking my heart? I'm ready to be put in prison. In fact, I'm ready to die in Jerusalem for the Lord Jesus."

14. We couldn't change his mind. So we gave up. We said, "May what the Lord wants to happen be done."

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