使徒行傳 15
1 從猶太下來的幾個人教訓弟兄們說：「若是你們不按梅瑟的慣例行割損，不能得救。」
AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 保祿和巴爾納伯同他們起了不少的爭執和辯論；大家就指定保祿和巴爾納伯，與他們中的幾個人，上耶路撒冷去見宗徒和長老，討論這問題。
There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question.
3 他們由教會送走之後，就路過腓尼基和撒瑪黎雅，沿途敘述外邦人歸化的事，使眾弟兄非常喜歡。
They therefore being sent on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren.
4 他們到了耶路撒冷，為教會、宗徒和長老所歡迎，就報告了天主偕同他們所行的一切大事。
Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by them.
5 卻有幾個信教的法利塞黨人起來說：「必須叫外邦人受割損，又應該命他們遵守梅瑟法律。」
But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses.
6 宗徒和長老們就開會商討此事。
Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter.
7 辯論多時之後，伯多祿起來向他們說：「諸位仁人弟兄！你們深知，多時以前，天主就在你們中選定了，要藉我的口，為叫外邦人聽福音的道理而信從。
When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe.
8 洞察人心的天主，已為他們作了證，因為賜給了他們聖神，如同賜給了我們一樣；
And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us;
9 在我們和他們中間沒有作任何區別，因他以信德淨化了他們的心。
and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 既然如此，現今你們為什麼試探天主，在門徒的頸項上，放上連我們的祖先和我們自己都不能負荷的軛呢﹖
Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 但是，我們信我們得救，是藉著主耶穌的恩寵，正和他們一樣。」
But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they.
12 於是眾人都緘默不語，靜聽巴爾納伯和保祿述說天主藉著他們在外邦人中，行了怎樣大的徵兆與奇蹟。
Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 大家都不出聲之後，雅各伯接著說：「諸位仁人弟兄，請聽我說!
Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me:
14 西滿述說了天主當初怎樣關心外邦人，由他們中選拔一個百姓，屬於自己名下；
Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
15 先知的話也正與此相合，如經上記載：『
And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 以後我要回來，重建達味已傾倒的居所；已坍塌了的，要把它重建而豎立起來，
“After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again:
17 為的是其餘的人，即一切以我的名得名的民族，要尋求上主：
that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things.”
19 因此，按我的意見，不要再加給由外邦歸依天主的人煩難，
Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God:
20 只要函告他們戒避偶像的玷污和奸淫，戒食窒死之物和血。
but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol sacrifices, and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21 因為自古以來，在各城內都有宣講梅瑟的人，每安息日在會堂中誦讀他的書。」
For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.
22 當時，宗徒和長老同全教會決定，從他們中選幾個人，派他們同保祿和巴爾納伯去安提約基雅。所派的，有號稱巴爾撒巴的猶達和息拉，是弟兄中的領導人物。
Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren;
23 他們帶去的信如下：「宗徒和長老弟兄們，給在安提約基雅、敘利亞和基里基雅由外邦歸化的弟兄們請安。
writing a letter by their hand, in these words: The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in Syria, and Cilicia, greeting:
24 我們聽說有幾個從我們這裏去的，而並非我們所派去的人，講話擾亂你們，混亂了你們的心。
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge:
25 我們取得同意後，決定揀選幾個人，派他們同我們可愛的巴爾納伯和保祿，到你們那裏去。
it hath seemed fit to us, assembled unanimously, to send unto you select men with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 此二人為了我們主耶穌基督的名，已付出了自己的性命。
men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 我們派猶達和息拉去，他們要親口報告同樣的事。
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, and they by word of mouth will tell you the same things.
28 因為聖神和我們決定，不再加給你們什麼重擔，除了這幾項重要的事：
For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden except these things which are of absolute necessity;
29 即戒食祭邪神之物、血和窒死之物，並戒避奸淫；若你們戒絕了這一切，那就好了。祝你們安好！」
that ye abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom: from which things carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.
30 他們去後，就下到安提約基雅，聚集了眾人，遞上公函。
They then being thus dispatched, came to Antioch: and assembling the multitude, they delivered the letter:
31 人們讀了，對這勸慰的話都十分歡喜。
and when they had read it, they rejoiced in the consolation of it.
32 猶達和息拉，因為他們也是先知，就講了許多話，勸勉堅固弟兄們。
Then Judas and Silas, being also themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren, in many a discourse, and established them.
33 過了一些時候，弟兄們打發他們帶著請安的話，回到派他們的人那裏。
And having stayed their time, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to the apostles.
34 【但是息拉決意留在那裏，只猶達一人回了耶路撒冷。】
However Silas thought proper to abide there.
35 保祿和巴爾納伯卻留在安提約基雅施教，同別的許多人宣講主的道理。
Paul also and Barnabas abode at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others also, the word of the Lord.
36 過了些日子，保祿向巴爾納伯說：「我們要回去，視察我們曾講過主道的各城，看看弟兄怎麼樣了。」
Then after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Let us now return and visit our brethren in every city among whom we have preached the word of the Lord, that we may see how they hold on.
37 巴爾納伯願意也帶號稱馬爾谷的若望同去，
Now Barnabas had resolved to take with him John, whose surname is Mark.
38 但保祿認為不應帶他去，因為他從旁非里雅離開他們，沒有同他們一起去工作。
But Paul did not think him a fit person to take with them, who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and no longer went with them to the service.
39 二人於是起了爭執，以致彼此分離。巴爾納伯遂帶馬爾谷，乘船往塞浦路斯去了。
So there grew up a sudden quarrel, insomuch that they separated from each other: and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus:
40 保祿卻揀選了息拉，蒙弟兄們將他託於主的恩寵以後，
but Paul selecting Silas, departed, being commended by the brethren to the favour of God.
41 也起身走了，他走遍了敘利亞和基里基雅，堅固各教會。
And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
