Acts 21Acts21

King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

1. Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

2. 1KJVAnd 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:BSBBSB: After we had torn ourselves away from them, we sailed directly to Cos, and the next day on to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
3. 2KJVAnd finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.BSBBSB: Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded it and set sail.
4. 3KJVNow 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.BSBBSB: After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.
5. 4KJVAnd finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.BSBBSB: We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
6. 5KJVAnd 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.BSBBSB: But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
7. 6KJVAnd when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.BSBBSB: And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
8. 7KJVAnd when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.BSBBSB: When we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.

9. Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

10. 8KJVAnd the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.BSBBSB: Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
11. 9KJVAnd the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.BSBBSB: He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
12. 10KJVAnd as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.BSBBSB: After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
13. 11KJVAnd 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.BSBBSB: Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
14. 12KJVAnd when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.BSBBSB: When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
15. 13KJVThen 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.BSBBSB: Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
16. 14KJVAnd when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.BSBBSB: When he would not be dissuaded, we quieted down and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
17. 15KJVAnd after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.BSBBSB: After these days, we packed up and went on to Jerusalem.
18. 16KJVThere went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.BSBBSB: Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.

19. Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

20. 17KJVAnd when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.BSBBSB: When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully.
21. 18KJVAnd the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.BSBBSB: The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
22. 19KJVAnd when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.BSBBSB: Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
23. 20KJVAnd 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:BSBBSB: When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
24. 21KJVAnd 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.BSBBSB: But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs.
25. 22KJVWhat is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.BSBBSB: What then should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.
26. 23KJVDo therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;BSBBSB: Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow.
27. 24KJVThem 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.BSBBSB: Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.
28. 25KJVAs 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.BSBBSB: As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”
29. 26KJVThen 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.BSBBSB: So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.

30. Paul Seized at the Temple

31. 27KJVAnd 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,BSBBSB: When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,
32. 28KJVCrying 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.BSBBSB: crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”
33. 29KJV(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)BSBBSB: For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
34. 30KJVAnd 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.BSBBSB: The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
35. 31KJVAnd as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.BSBBSB: While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.
36. 32KJVWho 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.BSBBSB: Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
37. 33KJVThen 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.BSBBSB: The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
38. 34KJVAnd 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.BSBBSB: Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, and some another. And since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks.
39. 35KJVAnd when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.BSBBSB: When Paul reached the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
40. 36KJVFor the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.BSBBSB: For the crowd that followed him kept shouting, “Away with him!”

41. Paul Addresses the Crowd

42. 37KJVAnd 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?BSBBSB: As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
43. 38KJVArt not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?BSBBSB: “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?”
44. 39KJVBut 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.BSBBSB: But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”
45. 40KJVAnd 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,BSBBSB: Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew: