Acts 21

And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

After we bid them farewell and set sail, we journeyed directly to Coos. The next day, we reached Rhodes and then continued on to Patara.

And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

We discovered a ship bound for Phenicia. Filled with anticipation and excitement, we climbed aboard and embarked on our journey.

Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

After finding Cyprus, we left it behind, journeying towards Syria. We finally docked at Tyre, where our ship was set to unload its heavy cargo.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

We found fellow believers and stayed with them for a week. They, guided by the Spirit, pleaded with Paul not to journey to Jerusalem.

And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

After spending our days there, we said our goodbyes and set off. Everyone, including their families, escorted us until we left the city. On the beach, we knelt and shared a heartfelt prayer.

And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

After bidding each other farewell, we embarked on our journey by sea, while they journeyed back to the comfort of their homes.

And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

After completing our journey from Tyre, we arrived in Ptolemais. We warmly greeted our brothers there and spent a day in their comforting company.

And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

The following day, we, Paul's companions, set off and arrived at Caesarea. We entered the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the chosen seven, and stayed with him.

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

This man was blessed with four unmarried daughters, each gifted by God to prophesy.

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

As we lingered for several days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judaea, bringing with him an air of anticipation.

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

When he arrived, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet, and said with deep emotion, "The Holy Spirit says this: The Jews in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to non-Jews."

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

When we heard the news, all of us, locals and visitors alike, pleaded with him not to journey to Jerusalem.

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul responded with a heavy heart, "Why do you cry and shatter my spirit? I am prepared, not just to be imprisoned, but even to give my life in Jerusalem, all for the love of Jesus."

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

When he remained stubborn, we gave up, simply saying, "Let God's plan unfold."

And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

After those days, filled with anticipation and reverence, we packed our belongings and journeyed towards the sacred city of Jerusalem.

There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Some of our fellow disciples from Caesarea also joined us. They brought along Mnason from Cyprus, a seasoned disciple, who kindly offered us a place to stay.

And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

When we finally reached Jerusalem, our brothers welcomed us with open arms and joyful hearts.

And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

The next day, Paul joined us in visiting James, and all the respected elders were there.

And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

After warmly greeting them, he passionately shared the incredible works God had accomplished among the non-Jews through his service.

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Upon hearing this, they praised God. They told him, "See, brother, countless Jews believe and passionately follow the law."

And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

People have been saying that you're teaching all the Jews living among non-Jews to abandon Moses' teachings. They claim you're telling them not to circumcise their kids or follow their traditional customs.

What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

So, what's next? The crowd will inevitably gather, for they've heard you've arrived.

Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

Listen closely to our request: We have four men who have made a sacred promise.

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

Join them, cleanse yourself alongside them, and pay their expenses so they can shave their heads. This way, everyone will see that the rumors about you are false. Show them that you too live a disciplined life, respecting the law.

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Regarding the non-Jewish believers, we've decided they don't need to follow all our rules. They just need to avoid food offered to idols, consuming blood, eating animals not properly killed, and sexual immorality.

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

The next day, Paul joined the men in a cleansing ritual before entering the temple. This was to mark the end of their purification period, awaiting the time each would present their offerings.

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

As the seventh day was nearly over, the Asian Jews spotted him in the temple. They incited the crowd and seized him, filled with anger and suspicion.

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

Calling out in desperation, "People of Israel, we need your help! This man is spreading teachings against our people, our laws, and our sacred place. He even brought foreigners into our temple, defiling our holy sanctuary."

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

They had previously spotted Trophimus, an Ephesian, with Paul in the city. They assumed that Paul had brought him into the sacred temple.

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

The entire city was in uproar, people swarmed together in panic. They seized Paul, yanking him from the sacred temple, and immediately, the doors were slammed shut.

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

As they were trying to kill him, news reached the head of the guard - Jerusalem was in chaos.

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Instantly, the commander, filled with urgency, rushed down with his soldiers. Seeing them, the crowd stopped their brutal attack on Paul.

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

The head officer approached, seized him, and ordered him to be shackled in two chains. He demanded to know his identity and the actions he had committed.

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

In the midst of the crowd, voices clashed, each shouting different things. Overwhelmed by the chaos and unable to discern the truth, he ordered the man to be taken to the castle.

And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

As he reached the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers, shielding him from the people's fury.

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

A large crowd pursued him, passionately shouting, "Get rid of him!"

And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

As Paul was about to be taken into the fortress, he turned to the commanding officer and asked, "May I have a word with you?" Surprised, the officer responded, "You can speak Greek?"

Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

Aren't you the Egyptian who recently caused chaos, leading four thousand killers into the wilderness?

But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

Paul pleaded, "I'm just a man, a Jew from Tarsus, an important city in Cilicia. Please, let me share my words with the people."

And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Once he got permission, Paul stood on the stairs, gesturing to the crowd. As a deep silence fell, he began to speak to them in Hebrew.