Divine Guidance Through Servants and Signs

1. Abraham was old, and well stricken in age. Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things. 2. Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh. 3. I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live. 4. But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5. The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?” 6. Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again. 7. Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring. He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8. If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.” 9. The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. 10. The servant took ten camels, of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11. He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12. He said, “Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14. Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ and she will say, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” 15. Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16. The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17. The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.” 18. She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink. 19. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking.” 20. She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. 21. The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not. 22. As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, 23. and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?” 24. She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25. She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.” 26. The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh. 27. He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.” 28. The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words. 29. Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. 30. When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31. He said, “Come in, you blessed of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.” 32. The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33. Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” He said, “Speak on.” 34. He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35. Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36. Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him. 37. My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38. but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’ 39. I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’ 40. He said to me, ‘Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house. 41. Then will you be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’ 42. I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go— 43. behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44. and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45. Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46. She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink. 47. I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands. 48. I bowed my head, and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son. 49. Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.” 50. Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good. 51. Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Yahweh has spoken.” 52. When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Yahweh. 53. The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. 54. They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55. Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.” 56. He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57. They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.” 58. They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59. They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. 60. They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.” 61. Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way. 62. Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. 63. Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels coming. 64. Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel. 65. She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself. 66. The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67. Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. 1. Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah. 2. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3. Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4. The sons of Midian were: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5. Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, 6. but to the sons of Abraham’s concubines, Abraham gave gifts. He sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country. 7. These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years. 8. Abraham gave up his spirit, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9. Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre, 10. the field which Abraham purchased of the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife. 11. After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi. 12. Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 13. These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14. Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15. Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16. These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations. 17. These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. 18. They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives. 19. This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20. Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife. 21. Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22. The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is so, why do I live?” She went to inquire of Yahweh. 23. Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.” 24. When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25. The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau. 26. After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27. The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob. 29. Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30. Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31. Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.” 32. Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?” 33. Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob. 34. Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright. 1. There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar. 2. Yahweh appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about. 3. Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspring will all the nations of the earth be blessed, 5. because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my requirements, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” 6. Isaac lived in Gerar. 7. The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest, he thought, “the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at.” 8. When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife. 9. Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister?’” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die because of her.’” 10. Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!” 11. Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death.” 12. Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. Yahweh blessed him. 13. The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great. 14. He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him. 15. Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth. 16. Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” 17. Isaac departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there. 18. Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. For the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. He called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19. Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. 20. The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” He called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21. They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. He called its name Sitnah. 22. He left that place, and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. He called it Rehoboth. He said, “For now Yahweh has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.” 23. He went up from there to Beersheba. 24. Yahweh appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” 25. He built an altar there, and called on Yahweh’s name, and pitched his tent there. There Isaac’s servants dug a well. 26. Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army. 27. Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me, and have sent me away from you?” 28. They said, “We saw plainly that Yahweh was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let us make a covenant with you, 29. that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace.’ You are now the blessed of Yahweh.” 30. He made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31. They rose up some time in the morning, and swore an oath to one another. Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32. The same day, Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33. He called it Shibah. Therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day. 34. When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35. They grieved Isaac’s and Rebekah’s spirits.

1. While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples. 2. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3. He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4. Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied. 7. They were about twelve men in all. 8. He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom. 9. But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10. This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11. God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, 12. so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out. 13. But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14. There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. 15. The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” 16. The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18. Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 19. Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20. So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty. 21. Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22. Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23. About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, 25. whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. 26. You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands. 27. Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.” 28. When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29. The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. 30. When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. 31. Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 32. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together. 33. They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people. 34. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35. When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36. Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 37. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. 39. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. 40. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” 41. When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. 1. After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2. When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. 3. When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4. These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5. But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. 6. We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days. 7. On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight. 8. There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together. 9. A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor, and was taken up dead. 10. Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.” 11. When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed. 12. They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted. 13. But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene. 15. Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus. 16. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. 17. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly. 18. When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 19. serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20. how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21. testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 22. Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 23. except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 24. But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. 25. “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more. 26. Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men, 27. for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 29. For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31. Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 32. Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33. I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing. 34. You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me. 35. In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36. When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37. They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38. sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. 1. When we had departed from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2. Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. 3. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 4. Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5. When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed. 6. After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. 7. When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. 8. On the next day, we, who were Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10. As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11. Coming to us, and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12. When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14. When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15. After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. 16. Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay. 17. When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18. The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 19. When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20. They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. 21. They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. 22. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23. Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. 24. Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 25. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.” 26. Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. 27. When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, 28. crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!” 29. For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30. All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut. 31. As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32. Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul. 33. Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. 34. Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. 35. When he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36. for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!” 37. As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you?” He said, “Do you know Greek? 38. Aren’t you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?” 39. But Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40. When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

1. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed. 2. I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me. 3. He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth. 4. My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5. Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth! 6. They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah. 7. My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises. 8. Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp! I will wake up the dawn. 9. I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10. For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies. 11. Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.