17 When we arrived at Yerusalem, the brothers and sisters there happily welcomed us, 18 and the next day, we accompanied Paul to go and see Yacob[fn] and the elders of the assembly there. 19 After greeting them, Paul then described all the things that God had done among the non-Jews as he had served among them, 20 and when they’d heard all that they praised God and told Paul, “Brother, you’ve noticed how many thousands of Jews have believed in the messiah but they still strive to observe the Moses’ laws. 21 But they’ve heard reports that you’ve been teaching the Jews that live outside our country that they don’t have to obey what Moses wrote—telling them that they don’t have to have their children circumcised and that they don’t have to follow our Jewish customs. 22 What will happen now, because the leaders here will certainly hear that you have arrived? 23 So here’s what we suggest that you do: Four of our men are making a public vow. 24 Why don’t you join these four and join them in the purification ceremony at the temple and pay their expenses in getting your heads shaved. Then everyone will be able to see that it’s false what they’ve heard about you, because you clearly still comply with Moses’ instructions. 25 And as for the believers who are non-Jews, we’ve informed them of our recommendation that they should avoid anything that’s been offered to an idol, avoid consuming blood and meat from strangled animals and birds, and avoid sexual immorality.”

26 So the next day Paul took the four men for the purification ceremony in the temple and there they announced the date when their vows would be fulfilled and their sacrifices made.