< 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。」
Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t 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。
Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the emissaries and elders about this question.
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。
They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.
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。
When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the emissaries and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.
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。」
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Torah of Moses.”
The emissaries and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
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。
When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.
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;
God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.
He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by 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?
Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers 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。」
But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Yeshua, just as they are.”
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。
All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.
13 他們住了聲,雅各就說:「諸位弟兄,請聽我的話。
After they were silent, Jacob answered, “Brothers, listen to me.
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;
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.
This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
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 these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up
17 叫餘剩的人, 就是凡稱為我名下的外邦人, 都尋求主。
that the rest of men may seek after the Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’
18 這話是從創世以來顯明這事的主說的。 (aiōn )
“All of God’s works are known to him from eternity. (aiōn )
19 「所以據我的意見,不可難為那歸服上帝的外邦人;
Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn 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 that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, 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 Moses from generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being read 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。
Then it seemed good to the emissaries and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judah called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
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 wrote these things by their hand: “The emissaries, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
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。
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the Torah,’ to whom we gave no commandment;
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。
it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
27 我們就差了猶大和西拉,他們也要親口訴說這些事。
We have sent therefore Judah and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
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,
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
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 things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, 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, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
32 猶大和西拉也是先知,就用許多話勸勉弟兄,堅固他們。
Judah and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
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 they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the emissaries.
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。
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord, with many others also.
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。」
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
Barnabas planned to take Yochanan, who was called Mark, with them also.
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 didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the 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;
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
40 保羅揀選了西拉,也出去,蒙弟兄們把他交於主的恩中。
but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.