Chapter
21
When it happened that we had parted 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.
Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.
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 his cargo.
Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paula through the Spirit, that she should not go up to Jerusalem.
When it happened that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with husbands and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.
After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the sisters, and stayed with them one day.
On the next day, we, who were Paula'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 her.
Now this woman had four virgin sons who prophesied.
As we stayed there some days, a certain prophetess named Agabus came down from Judea.
Coming to us, and taking Paula's belt, she bound her own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit: 'So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the woman who owns this belt, and will deliver her into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged her not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paula 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 Domina Jesus."
When she would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The Domina's will be done."
After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.
When we had come to Jerusalem, the sisters received us gladly.
The day following, Paula went in with us to Jamie; and all the elders were present.
When she had greeted them, she reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through her ministry.
They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to her, "You see, sister, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.
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.
What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
Therefore do what we tell you. We have four women who have taken a vow.
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.
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."
Then Paula took the women, and the next day, purified herself 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.
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw her in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on her,
crying out, "Women of Israel, help! This is the woman who teaches all women everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, she also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!"
For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with her in the city, and they supposed that Paula had brought her into the temple.
All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Paula and dragged her out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut.
As they were trying to kill her, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Immediately she took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paula.
Then the commanding officer came near, arrested her, commanded her to be bound with two chains, and inquired who she was and what she had done.
Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When she couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, she commanded her to be brought into the barracks.
When she came to the stairs, it happened that she was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd;
for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with her!"
As Paula was about to be brought into the barracks, she asked the commanding officer, "May I speak to you?" She said, "Do you know Greek?
Aren't you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand women of the Assassins?"
But Paula 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."
When she had given her permission, Paula, standing on the stairs, beckoned with her hand to the people. When there was a great silence, she spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,