使徒行傳 15
1 有幾個人從猶太下來，教訓弟兄們說：「你們若不按摩西的規條受割禮，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 保羅、巴拿巴與他們大大地紛爭辯論；眾門徒就定規，叫保羅、巴拿巴和本會中幾個人，為所辯論的，上耶路撒冷去見使徒和長老。
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 於是教會送他們起行。他們經過腓尼基、撒馬利亞，隨處傳說外邦人歸主的事，叫眾弟兄都甚歡喜。
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 到了耶路撒冷，教會和使徒並長老都接待他們，他們就述說上帝同他們所行的一切事。
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 惟有幾個信徒， 是法利賽教門的人，起來說：「必須給外邦人行割禮，吩咐他們遵守摩西的律法。」
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 使徒和長老聚會商議這事；
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
7 辯論已經多了，彼得就起來，說：「諸位弟兄，你們知道上帝早已在你們中間揀選了我，叫外邦人從我口中得聽福音之道，而且相信。
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 知道人心的上帝也為他們作了見證，賜聖靈給他們，正如給我們一樣；
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 又藉着信潔淨了他們的心，並不分他們我們。
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10 現在為甚麼試探上帝，要把我們祖宗和我們所不能負的軛放在門徒的頸項上呢？
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 我們得救乃是因主耶穌的恩，和他們一樣，這是我們所信的。」
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
12 眾人都默默無聲，聽巴拿巴和保羅述說上帝藉他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟奇事。
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 他們住了聲，雅各就說：「諸位弟兄，請聽我的話。
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
14 方才西門述說上帝當初怎樣眷顧外邦人，從他們中間選取百姓歸於自己的名下；
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 眾先知的話也與這意思相合。
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
16 正如經上所寫的： 此後，我要回來， 重新修造大衛倒塌的帳幕， 把那破壞的重新修造建立起來，
‘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 叫餘剩的人， 就是凡稱為我名下的外邦人， 都尋求主。
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 「所以據我的意見，不可難為那歸服上帝的外邦人；
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 只要寫信，吩咐他們禁戒偶像的污穢和姦淫，並勒死的牲畜和血。
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 因為從古以來，摩西的書在各城有人傳講，每逢安息日，在會堂裏誦讀。」
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 那時，使徒和長老並全教會定意從他們中間揀選人，差他們和保羅、巴拿巴同往安提阿去；所揀選的就是稱呼巴撒巴的猶大和西拉。這兩個人在弟兄中是作首領的。
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 於是寫信交付他們，內中說：「使徒和作長老的弟兄們問安提阿、敘利亞、基利家外邦眾弟兄的安。
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，有幾個人從我們這裏出去，用言語攪擾你們，惑亂你們的心。其實我們並沒有吩咐他們。
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
25 所以，我們同心定意，揀選幾個人，差他們同我們所親愛的巴拿巴和保羅往你們那裏去。
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 這二人是為我主耶穌基督的名不顧性命的。
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27 我們就差了猶大和西拉，他們也要親口訴說這些事。
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
28 因為聖靈和我們定意不將別的重擔放在你們身上，惟有幾件事是不可少的，
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
29 就是禁戒祭偶像的物和血，並勒死的牲畜和姦淫。這幾件你們若能自己禁戒不犯就好了。願你們平安！」
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 他們既奉了差遣，就下安提阿去，聚集眾人，交付書信。
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 眾人念了，因為信上安慰的話就歡喜了。
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 猶大和西拉也是先知，就用許多話勸勉弟兄，堅固他們。
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 住了些日子，弟兄們打發他們平平安安地回到差遣他們的人那裏去。
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
35 但保羅和巴拿巴仍住在安提阿，和許多別人一同教訓人，傳主的道。
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，保羅對巴拿巴說：「我們可以回到從前宣傳主道的各城，看望弟兄們景況如何。」
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 巴拿巴有意要帶稱呼馬可的約翰同去；
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
38 但保羅因為馬可從前在旁非利亞離開他們，不和他們同去做工，就以為不可帶他去。
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 於是二人起了爭論，甚至彼此分開。巴拿巴帶着馬可，坐船往塞浦路斯去；
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 保羅揀選了西拉，也出去，蒙弟兄們把他交於主的恩中。
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 他就走遍敘利亞、基利家，堅固眾教會。
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
