11. He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In Jerusalem the Jews will bind the man who owns this belt, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles.’"
12. When we heard this, we and the local believers urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
13. Paul replied, "Why are you doing this? Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I’m ready not only to be arrested but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus."
14. Since we couldn’t talk him out of it, the only thing we could say was, "The Lord’s will be done."
15. After this, we got ready and made our way up to Jerusalem.
16. Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and led us to Mnason’s home, where we were guests. He was from Cyprus and had been a disciple a long time.
17. When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly.
18. On the next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James. All of the elders were present.
19. After greeting them, he gave them a detailed report of what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20. Those who heard this praised God. Then they said to him, "Brother, you see how many thousands of Jews have become believers, and all of them keep the Law passionately.
21. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to reject Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to live according to our customs.
22. What about this? Without a doubt, they will hear that you have arrived.
23. You must therefore do what we tell you. Four men among us have made a solemn promise.
24. Take them with you, go through the purification ritual with them, and pay the cost of having their heads shaved. Everyone will know there is nothing to those reports about you but that you too live a life in keeping with the Law.
25. As for the Gentile believers, we wrote a letter about what we decided, that they avoid food offered to idols, blood, the meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality."
26. The following day Paul took the men with him and went through the purification ritual with them. He entered the temple and publicly announced the completion of the days of purification, when the offering would be presented for each one of them.
27. When the seven days of purification were almost over, the Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the temple. Grabbing him, they threw the whole crowd into confusion by shouting,
28. "Fellow Israelites! Help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, the Law, and this place. Not only that, he has even brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place." (