Common English Bible

Acts Of The Apostles 21:2-20 Common English Bible (CEB)

2. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, boarded, and put out to sea.

3. We spotted Cyprus, but passed by it on our left. We sailed on to the province of Syria and landed in Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.

4. We found the disciples there and stayed with them for a week. Compelled by the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

5. When our time had come to an end, we departed. All of them, including women and children, accompanied us out of town where we knelt on the beach and prayed.

6. We said good-bye to each other, then we boarded the ship and they returned to their homes.

7. Continuing our voyage, we sailed from Tyre and arrived in Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and sisters there and spent a day with them.

8. The next day we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him.

9. He had four unmarried daughters who were involved in the work of prophecy.

10. After staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

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.