(Acts 21:22-26) What, then, is to be done about it?

In any case they are going to hear you have arrived. 23 Therefore do this which we tell you: We have four men with a vow upon themselves. 24 Take these men along and cleanse yourself ceremonially with them and take care of their expenses, that they may have their heads shaved. And so everybody will know that there is nothing to the rumors they were told about you, but that you are walking orderly, you yourself also keeping the Law. 25 As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols as well as from blood and what is strangled and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men along the next day and cleansed himself ceremonially with them and went into the temple, to give notice of the days to be fulfilled for the ceremonial cleansing, until the offering should be presented for each one of them. Paragraph 9 (Galatians 5:1-7) For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery. 2 See! I, Paul, am telling YOU that if YOU become circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to YOU. 3 Moreover, I bear witness again to every man getting circumcised that he is under obligation to perform the whole Law. 4 YOU are parted from Christ, whoever YOU are that try to be declared righteous by means of law; YOU have fallen away from his undeserved kindness. 5 For our part we by spirit are eagerly waiting for the hoped-for righteousness as a result of faith. 6 For as regards Christ Jesus neither circumcision is of any value nor is uncircumcision, but faith operating through love [is]. 7 YOU were running well. Who hindered YOU from keeping on obeying the truth? (Romans 2:28-29) For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and [his] circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code. The praise of that one comes, not from men, but from God. (Romans 3:21-26) But now apart from law Gods righteousness has been made manifest, as it is borne witness to by the Law and the Prophets; 22 yes, Gods righteousness through the faith in Jesus Christ, for all those having faith. For there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom [paid] by Christ Jesus. 25 God set him forth as an offering for propitiation through faith in his blood. This was in order to exhibit his own righteousness, because he was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past while God was exercising forbearance; 26 so as to exhibit his own righteousness in this present season,

that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous the man that has faith in Jesus. Paragraph 10 (Romans 14:1-6) Welcome the [man] having weaknesses in [his] faith, but not to make decisions on inward questionings. 2 One [man] has faith to eat everything, but the [man] who is weak eats vegetables. 3 Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating, and let the one not eating not judge the one eating, for God has welcomed that one. 4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand. 5 One [man] judges one day as above another; another [man] judges one day as all others; let each [man] be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day observes it to Jehovah. Also, he who eats, eats to Jehovah, for he gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat does not eat to Jehovah, and yet gives thanks to God. (Acts 16:3) Paul expressed the desire for this man to go out with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for one and all knew that his father was a Greek. (Galatians 5:6) For as regards Christ Jesus neither circumcision is of any value nor is uncircumcision, but faith operating through love [is]. Paragraph 11 (Acts 21:23-24) Therefore do this which we tell you: We have four men with a vow upon themselves. 24 Take these men along and cleanse yourself ceremonially with them and take care of their expenses, that they may have their heads shaved. And so everybody will know that there is nothing to the rumors they were told about you, but that you are walking orderly, you yourself also keeping the Law. Paragraph 12 (1 Corinthians 9:20) And so to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those under law I became as under law, though I myself am not under law, that I might gain those under law. (Hebrews 13:17) Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU. (Acts 21:27-22:30) Now when the seven days were about to be concluded, the Jews from Asia on beholding him in the temple began to throw all the crowd into confusion, and they laid their hands upon him, 28 crying out: Men of Israel, help! This is the man that teaches everybody everywhere against the

people and the Law and this place and, what is more, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place. 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, but they were imagining Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 And the whole city was set in an uproar, and a running together of the people occurred; and they laid hold of Paul and dragged him outside the temple. And immediately the doors were closed. 31 And while they were seeking to kill him, information came up to the commander of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion; 32 and he at once took soldiers and army officers and ran down to them. When they caught sight of the military commander and the soldiers, they quit beating Paul. 33 Then the military commander came near and took hold of him and gave command for him to be bound with two chains; and he proceeded to inquire who he might be and what he had done. 34 But some in the crowd began shouting out one thing, and others another. So, being unable himself to learn anything certain because of the tumult, he commanded him to be brought to the soldiers quarters. 35 But when he got upon the stairs, the situation became such that he was being carried along by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36 for the multitude of the people kept following, crying out: Take him away! 37 And as he was about to be led into the soldiers quarters, Paul said to the military commander: Am I allowed to say something to you? He said: Can you speak Greek? 38 Are you not really the Egyptian who before these days stirred up a sedition and led the four thousand dagger men out into the wilderness? 39 Then Paul said: I am, in fact, a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. So I beg you, permit me to speak to the people. 40 After he gave permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned with his hand to the people. When a great silence fell, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: 22 Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to YOU now. 2 (Well, when they heard he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent, and he said:) 3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strictness of the ancestral Law, being zealous for God just as all of YOU are this day. 4 And I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and handing over to prisons both men and women, 5 as both the high priest and all the assembly of older men can bear me witness. From them I also procured letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to bring also those who were there bound to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 But as I was journeying and drawing close to Damascus, about midday, suddenly out of heaven a great light flashed all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? 8 I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting. 9 Now the men that were with me beheld, indeed, the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. 10 At that I said, What shall I do, Lord? The Lord said to me, Rise, go your way into Damascus, and there you

will be told about everything it is appointed for you to do. 11 But as I could not see anything for the glory of that light, I arrived in Damascus, being led by the hand of those who were with me. 12 Now Ananias, a certain man reverent according to the Law, well reported on by all the Jews dwelling there, 13 came to me and, standing by me, he said to me, Saul, brother, have your sight again! And I looked up at him that very hour. 14 He said, The God of our forefathers has chosen you to come to know his will and to see the righteous One and to hear the voice of his mouth, 15 because you are to be a witness for him to all men of things you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized and wash your sins away by your calling upon his name. 17 But when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not agree to your witness concerning me. 19 And I said, Lord, they themselves well know that I used to imprison and flog in one synagogue after another those believing upon you; 20 and when the blood of Stephen your witness was being spilled, I myself was also standing by and approving and guarding the outer garments of those doing away with him. 21 And yet he said to me, Get on your way, because I shall send you out to nations far off. 22 Now they kept listening to him down to this word, and they raised their voices, saying: Take such a [man] away from the earth, for he was not fit to live! 23 And because they were crying out and throwing their outer garments about and tossing dust into the air, 24 the military commander ordered him to be brought into the soldiers quarters and said he should be examined under scourging, that he might know fully for what cause they were shouting against him this way. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whipping, Paul said to the army officer standing there: Is it lawful for YOU men to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned? 26 Well, when the army officer heard this, he went to the military commander and made report, saying: What are you intending to do? Why, this man is a Roman. 27 So the military commander approached and said to him: Tell me, Are you a Roman? He said: Yes. 28 The military commander responded: I purchased these rights as a citizen for a large sum [of money]. Paul said: But I was even born [in them]. 29 Immediately, therefore, the men that were about to examine him with torture withdrew from him; and the military commander became afraid on ascertaining that he was a Roman and that he had bound him. 30 So, the next day, as he desired to know for sure just why he was being accused by the Jews, he let him loose and commanded the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble. And he brought Paul down and stood him among them. Paragraph 13 (Acts 21:39) Then Paul said: I am, in fact, a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. So I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.

Paragraph 14 (Acts 22:1) Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to YOU now. (Acts 9:7) Now the men that were journeying with him were standing speechless, hearing, indeed, the sound of a voice, but not beholding any man. (Acts 22:9) Now the men that were with me beheld, indeed, the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. Paragraph 15 (Acts 22:22) Now they kept listening to him down to this word, and they raised their voices, saying: Take such a [man] away from the earth, for he was not fit to live! (Acts 23:1-10) Looking intently at the Sanhedrin Paul said: Men, brothers, I have behaved before God with a perfectly clear conscience down to this day. 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him: God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall. Do you at one and the same time sit to judge me in accord with the Law and, transgressing the Law, command me to be struck? 4 Those standing by said: Are you reviling the high priest of God? 5 And Paul said: Brothers, I did not know he was high priest. For it is written, You must not speak injuriously of a ruler of your people. 6 Now when Paul took note that the one part was of Sadducees but the other of Pharisees, he proceeded to cry out in the Sanhedrin: Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Over the hope of resurrection of the dead I am being judged. 7 Because he said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was split. 8 For Sadducees say there is neither resurrection nor angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees publicly declare them all. 9 So there broke out a loud screaming, and some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees rose and began contending fiercely, saying: We find nothing wrong in this man; but if a spirit or an angel spoke to him,. 10 Now when the dissension grew great, the military commander became afraid that Paul would be pulled to pieces by them, and he commanded the force of soldiers to go down and snatch him from their midst and bring him into the soldiers quarters. Paragraph 16 (Acts 23:1) Looking intently at the Sanhedrin Paul said: Men, brothers, I have behaved before God with a perfectly clear conscience down to this day. (Acts 23:2) At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by him to strike him on the mouth.

(Acts 23:3) Then Paul said to him: God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall. Do you at one and the same time sit to judge me in accord with the Law and, transgressing the Law, command me to be struck? Paragraph 17 (Acts 23:4-5) Those standing by said: Are you reviling the high priest of God? 5 And Paul said: Brothers, I did not know he was high priest. For it is written, You must not speak injuriously of a ruler of your people. (Exodus 22:28) You must not call down evil upon God nor curse a chieftain among your people. (Acts 23:6) Now when Paul took note that the one part was of Sadducees but the other of Pharisees, he proceeded to cry out in the Sanhedrin: Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Over the hope of resurrection of the dead I am being judged. Paragraph 18 (John 5:25-29) Most truly I say to YOU, The hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who have given heed will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to do judging, because Son of man he is. 28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. Paragraph 19 (Acts 23:9) So there broke out a loud screaming, and some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees rose and began contending fiercely, saying: We find nothing wrong in this man; but if a spirit or an angel spoke to him,. (Acts 23:10) Now when the dissension grew great, the military commander became afraid that Paul would be pulled to pieces by them, and he commanded the force of soldiers to go down and snatch him from their midst and bring him into the soldiers quarters. (Hebrews 8:7-13) For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second; 8 for he does find fault with the people when he says: Look! There are days coming, says Jehovah, and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant; 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their forefathers in [the] day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant, so that I stopped caring for them, says Jehovah. 10 For this is the covenant that I shall covenant with the house of

Israel after those days, says Jehovah. I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people. 11 And they will by no means teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying: Know Jehovah! For they will all know me, from [the] least one to [the] greatest one of them. 12 For I shall be merciful to their unrighteous deeds, and I shall by no means call their sins to mind anymore. 13 In his saying a new [covenant] he has made the former one obsolete. Now that which is made obsolete and growing old is near to vanishing away. (Numbers 6:1-21) And Jehovah spoke further to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to the sons of Israel and you must say to them, In case a man or a woman takes a special vow to live as a Nazirite to Jehovah, 3 he should keep away from wine and intoxicating liquor. He should not drink the vinegar of wine or the vinegar of intoxicating liquor, nor drink any liquid made from grapes, nor eat grapes either fresh or dried. 4 All the days of his Naziriteship he should not eat anything at all that is made from the wine vine, from the unripe grapes to the skins. 5 All the days of the vow of his Naziriteship no razor should pass over his head; until the days that he should be separated to Jehovah come to the full, he should prove holy by letting the locks of the hair of his head grow. 6 All the days of his keeping separate to Jehovah he may not come toward any dead soul. 7 Not even for his father or his mother or his brother or his sister may he defile himself when they die, because the sign of his Naziriteship to his God is upon his head. 8 All the days of his Naziriteship he is holy to Jehovah. 9 But in case anyone dying should die quite suddenly alongside him so that he has defiled the head of his Naziriteship, he must then shave his head in the day of establishing his purification. On the seventh day he should shave it. 10 And on the eighth day he should bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest to the entrance of the tent of meeting. 11 And the priest must handle one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering and make atonement for him, since he has sinned because of the [dead] soul. Then he must sanctify his head on that day. 12 And he must live as a Nazirite to Jehovah for the days of his Naziriteship, and he must bring a young ram in its first year as a guilt offering; and the former days will go uncounted because he defiled his Naziriteship. 13 Now this is the law about the Nazirite: On the day that the days of his Naziriteship come to the full, he will be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting. 14 And he must present as his offering to Jehovah one sound young ram in its first year as a burnt offering and one sound female lamb in its first year as a sin offering and one sound ram as a communion sacrifice, 15 and a basket of unfermented ring-shaped cakes of fine flour, moistened with oil, and unfermented wafers smeared with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offerings. 16 And the priest must present them before Jehovah and render up his sin offering and his burnt offering. 17 And he will render up the ram as a communion sacrifice to Jehovah along with the basket of unfermented cakes; and the priest must render up its grain

offering and its drink offering. 18 And the Nazirite must shave the head of his Naziriteship at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and he must take the hair of the head of his Naziriteship and put it upon the fire that is under the communion sacrifice. 19 And the priest must take a boiled shoulder from the ram and one unfermented ring-shaped cake out of the basket, and one unfermented wafer, and put them upon the palms of the Nazirite after he has had the sign of his Naziriteship shaved off. 20 And the priest must wave them to and fro as a wave offering before Jehovah. It is something holy for the priest, along with the breast of the wave offering and the leg of the contribution. And afterward the Nazirite may drink wine. 21 This is the law about the Nazirite who vowshis offering to Jehovah over his Naziriteship, besides that which he can afford. According to his vow that he may make, so he should do because of the law of his Naziriteship. (Acts 15:5) Yet, some of those of the sect of the Pharisees that had believed rose up from their seats and said: It is necessary to circumcise them and charge them to observe the law of Moses.