New International Reader's Version

Acts 21:8-20 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

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."

15. After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

16. Some of the believers from Caesarea went with us. They brought us to Mnason's home. We were supposed to stay there. Mnason was from Cyprus. He was one of the first believers.

17. When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters gave us a warm welcome.

18. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James. All the elders were there.

19. Paul greeted them. Then he reported everything God had done among the non-Jews through his work.

20. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they spoke to Paul. "Brother," they said, "you see that thousands of Jews have become believers. All of them try very hard to obey the law.