Right now, however, I am going to Jerusalem in the service of God's people there.

That decision was their own; but, as a matter of fact, they have an obligation to help them. Since the Jews shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles, the Gentiles ought to use their material blessings to help the Jews.

Fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.

They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia.

So they traveled right on through Mysia and went to Troas.

As soon as Paul had this vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, because we decided that God had called us to preach the Good News to the people there.

Instead, he told them as he left, "If it is the will of God, I will come back to you." And so he sailed from Ephesus.

And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.

You must remember, my friends, that many times I have planned to visit you, but something has always kept me from doing so. I want to win converts among you also, as I have among other Gentiles.

I was so sure of all this that I made plans at first to visit you, in order that you might be blessed twice.

In planning this, did I appear fickle? When I make my plans, do I make them from selfish motives, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time?

After the uproar died down, Paul called together the believers and with words of encouragement said good-bye to them. Then he left and went on to Macedonia.

where he stayed three months. He was getting ready to go to Syria when he discovered that there were Jews plotting against him; so he decided to go back through Macedonia.

They went ahead and waited for us in Troas.

Paul had decided to sail on by Ephesus, so as not to lose any time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, if at all possible.

And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

There we found some believers and stayed with them a week. By the power of the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

He came to us, took Paul's belt, tied up his own feet and hands with it, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: The owner of this belt will be tied up in this way by the Jews in Jerusalem, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles."

But he answered, "What are you doing, crying like this and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die there for the sake of the Lord Jesus."

After spending some time there, we got our things ready and left for Jerusalem.

"After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I went there to take some money to my own people and to offer sacrifices.

It was while I was doing this that they found me in the Temple after I had completed the ceremony of purification. There was no crowd with me and no disorder.

Right now, however, I am going to Jerusalem in the service of God's people there.

For the churches in Macedonia and Achaia have freely decided to give an offering to help the poor among God's people in Jerusalem.

Instead, he told them as he left, "If it is the will of God, I will come back to you." And so he sailed from Ephesus.

That night the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Don't be afraid! You have given your witness for me here in Jerusalem, and you must also do the same in Rome."

Paul said, "I am standing before the Emperor's own judgment court, where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you yourself well know.

Then Festus, after conferring with his advisers, answered, "You have appealed to the Emperor, so to the Emperor you will go."

When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to Julius, an officer in the Roman army regiment called "The Emperor's Regiment."

and said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul! You must stand before the Emperor. And God in his goodness to you has spared the lives of all those who are sailing with you.'

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him.

For two years Paul lived in a place he rented for himself, and there he welcomed all who came to see him.

He preached about the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom.

So then, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who live in Rome.

But now that I have finished my work in these regions and since I have been wanting for so many years to come to see you,

Right now, however, I am going to Jerusalem in the service of God's people there.

That decision was their own; but, as a matter of fact, they have an obligation to help them. Since the Jews shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles, the Gentiles ought to use their material blessings to help the Jews.

When I come to you, I know that I shall come with a full measure of the blessing of Christ.

I want you to know, my friends, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel.

And my being in prison has given most of the believers more confidence in the Lord, so that they grow bolder all the time to preach the message fearlessly.