Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully. 18 The next [day] Paul went in with us to [see] James, and all the elders were present. 19 [Paul] greeted them [and] recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 When they heard [this], they glorified God. Then they said to [Paul], “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 But they are under the impression that you teach all [the] Jews who [live] among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise [their] children [or] observe [our] customs. 22 What then should [we do]? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23 Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. 24 Take these [men], purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so {they can have} [their] heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth [to these] rumors about you, but [that] you also live in obedience to the law.

25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written [to them] our decision [that] they must abstain from [food] sacrificed to idols, [from] blood, [from] the meat of strangled animals, and [from] sexual immorality.”

26 [So] the next day Paul took the men [and] purified himself along with them. [Then] he entered the temple to give notice of the date [when their] purification would be complete [and] the offering would be made for each of them.