Acts:21:27-22

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* But , when the seven days were nearly over , the Jews from the province of Asia , having seen Paul in the Temple , set about rousing the fury of all the people against him . * They laid hands on him , crying out , »Men of Israel , help ! help ! This is the man who goes everywhere preaching to everybody against the Jewish people and the Law and this place . And besides , he has even brought Gentiles into the Temple and has desecrated this holy place .« * (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city , and imagined that Paul had brought him into the Temple .) * The excitement spread through the whole city , and the people rushed in crowds to the Temple , and there laid hold of Paul and began to drag him out ; and the Temple gates were immediately closed . * But while they were trying to kill Paul , word was taken up to the Tribune in command of the battalion , that all Jerusalem was in a ferment . * He instantly sent for a few soldiers and their officers , and came down among the people with all speed . At the sight of the Tribune and the troops they ceased beating Paul . * Then the Tribune , making his way to him , arrested him , and , having ordered him to be secured with two chains , proceeded to ask who he was and what he had been doing . * Some of the crowd shouted one accusation against Paul and some another , until , as the uproar made it impossible for the truth to be ascertained with certainty , the Tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks . * When Paul was going up the steps , he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob ; * for the whole mass of the people pressed on in the rear , shouting , »Away with him !« * When he was about to be taken into the barracks , Paul said to the Tribune , »May I speak to you ?«»Do you know Greek ?« the Tribune asked . * »Are you not the Egyptian who some years ago excited the riot of the 4 ,000 cut-throats , and led them out into the Desert ?« * »I am a Jew ,« replied Paul , »belonging to Tarsus in Cilicia , and am a citizen of no unimportant city . Give me leave , I pray you , to speak to the people .« * So with his permission Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people to be quiet ; and when there was perfect silence he addressed them in Hebrew .

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