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。」
But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Lord’s followers that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom required by Moses, they could not 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。
This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
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。
The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
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。
On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
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。」
Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6 宗徒和長老們就開會商討此事。
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
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。
After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out – that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
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；
Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did 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。
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their 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, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors 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。」
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
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。
Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through 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!
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
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 has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.
15 先知的話也正與此相合，如經上記載：『
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
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 I will return; and I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen – its ruins I will rebuild, and will set it up once more;
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 so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed,
says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 因此，按我的意見，不要再加給由外邦歸依天主的人煩難，
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning 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 we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, 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 in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
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。
It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.
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。
They were bearers of the following letter – ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
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。
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
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。
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends 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。
who have risked 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 are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
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：
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
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 you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.’
30 他們去後，就下到安提約基雅，聚集了眾人，遞上公函。
So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the followers,
31 人們讀了，對這勸慰的話都十分歡喜。
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
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。
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
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。
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
34 【但是息拉決意留在那裏，只猶達一人回了耶路撒冷。】
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 and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the good news of the Lord’s message.
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。」
Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the Lord’s followers in every town in which we have told the Lord’s message, and see how they are prospering.”
37 巴爾納伯願意也帶號稱馬爾谷的若望同去，
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was 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 felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
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。
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 保祿卻揀選了息拉，蒙弟兄們將他託於主的恩寵以後，
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 也起身走了，他走遍了敘利亞和基里基雅，堅固各教會。
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
