Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

1After we were parted from them, and clear of land, we made directly for Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara: 2where finding a vessel bound to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and put off. 3having made Cyprus, leaving it to the North, we took our course to Syria, and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unlade her cargo. 4we staid seven days with the disciples we met there: who told Paul from the holy spirit, that he should not go to Jerusalem. 5that time being ended, we departed, being conducted by them in a body with the women and children quite out of the city, where we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 6then having taken our leave of one another, we embark'd and they went home.

7From Tyre we sail'd to Ptolemais, which ended our voyage, we saluted the brethren there, and staid a day with them.

Paul Visits Philip the Evangelist

8on the morrow we set out, and arriv'd at Cesarea, and went to the house of Philip the evangelist, with whom we lodg'd: 9he was one of the seven deacons, and had four daughters all virgins, prophetesses. 10after we had been there several days, a prophet arriv'd from Judea, one Agabus, who made us a visit. 11when taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "thus saith the holy spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man, that owns this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." 12upon hearing this, we and some of the city intreated him not to go to Jerusalem. 13but Paul replied, what do you mean by afflicting me thus with your tears? I am not only ready to meet my chains, but even to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14he being then inflexible, we desisted, saying, the will of the Lord be done.

15after this we prepar'd for our journey to Jerusalem. 16some of the disciples of Cesarea accompany'd us, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, at whose house we were to lodge.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17When we were arriv'd at Jerusalem, the brethren receiv'd us with joy. 18the next day Paul went with us to James, where all the pastors assembled. 19after having saluted them, he gave a particular account of what God had wrought by his ministry among the Gentiles. 20upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law. 21now they have heard that you instruct the Jews that are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them they must not circumcise their children, nor observe the establish'd rites. 22what then is to be done? they will necessarily be all assembled, for they can't but hear, you are come. 23yield then to our advice: there are four men here, who have made a vow: 24these take, and perform the rites of purification with them, contributing to the expence of having their heads shav'd: this will convince them, what has been reported of you, is all groundless, and that you stick to the observances of the law. 25as for the believing Gentiles, we have given them by letter this decision, "they need only take care to abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, from the flesh of animals strangled, and from fornication." 26accordingly Paul went to the men, and the next day was purified with them; then entring into the temple, he declar'd how long the time of the purification was to last, and when the offering was to be made for each of them.

Paul Seized at the Temple

27The seven days being almost expir'd, the Asiatic Jews seeing him in the temple, rais'd a tumult, and fell upon him, 28bawling out, "men of Israel, help: this is the man that every where inveighs upon all occasions against the people, against the law, and against this place, where they have brought Greeks too to profane this holy place." 29(for having seen Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city, they imagin'd Paul had conducted him into the temple.) 30the whole city was in an uproar, the people crouded together: they seized Paul, dragg'd him out of the temple, and then shut the gates. 31as they were busy upon his execution, news came to the commander of the cohort, that the whole city was in an uproar. 32immediately he headed a detachment, with his centurions, and march'd briskly to them; who, upon seeing the officer and his men, left off beating Paul. 33the commander advanc'd, seiz'd him, and order'd to load him with two chains: then demanded who he was, and what he had done. 34in the hubbub some cry'd one thing, some another: so that not being able to get any information for the tumult, he order'd him to be carried to the castle. 35as he was mounting the stairs, the soldiers bore him up thro' the violence of the people, who were all pressing after, 36roaring out, "away with him."

Paul Addresses the Crowd

37just as he was entring into the castle, Paul said to the officer, may I be favour'd with a word? you can speak Greek then, said he? 38are not you the Egyptian, who lately made an insurrection at the head of four thousand banditti in the desart? 39Paul replied, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of that famous city: and I beg you would give me leave to speak to the people: which being granted, 40Paul then standing upon the stairs made a sign with his hand to the people, who being very silent, he rais'd his voice, and thus address'd them in the Hebrew tongue: