Paul Visits James

17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers warmly welcomed us. 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they began glorifying [fn]the Lord. Then they said to him, “Yoʋ see, brother, how many thousands [fn]of Jews there are who have become believers, and they are all zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that yoʋ teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? [fn]The assembly will surely meet, for they will hear that yoʋ have come. 23 So yoʋ must do what we tell yoʋ. There are four men who are under a vow. 24 Take these men and purify yoʋrself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they can shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to what they have been told about yoʋ, but that yoʋ yoʋrself also walk in an orderly manner, keeping the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have [fn]written a letter with our judgment [fn]that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from fornication.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and on the next day he purified himself with them and went to the temple, giving notice of when the days of their purification would be completed and the offering would be presented for each of them.