Acts 11

1 Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

The apostles and the followers throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s message.

2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

But, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who were converts from Judaism began to attack him,

3 saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

on the ground that he had visited people who were not circumcised, and had taken meals with them.

4 But Peter began, and expounded [the matter] unto them in order, saying,

So Peter began to relate the facts to them as they had occurred.

5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

“I was in the town of Joppa,” he said, “and was praying; and, while in a trance, I saw a vision. There was something like a great sail descending, let down by its four corners out of the heavens; and it came right down to me.

6 upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

Looking intently at it, I began to distinguish quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds;

7 And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

and I also heard a voice saying to me – ‘Stand up, Peter, kill something and eat.’

8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

‘No, Lord, I cannot,’ I answered, ‘for nothing defiled or unclean has ever passed my lips.’

9 But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

Then a second time there came a voice from the heavens. ‘What God has pronounced clean’, it said, ‘you must not call defiled.’

10 And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

This happened three times, and then all was drawn up again into the heavens.

11 And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Cæsarea unto me.

At that moment three men, who had been sent from Caesarea to see me, came up to the house in which we were.

12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:

The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. These six companions also went with me. And, when we came into the man’s house,

13 and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;

he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and how the angel had said to him – ‘Send to Joppa and fetch the Simon, who is also known as Peter;

14 who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.

for he will tell you truths, which will prove the means of salvation to you and all your household.’

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

I had but just begun to speak,” continued Peter, “when the Holy Spirit fell on them, exactly as on us at the first;

16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

and I recalled the saying of the Master – ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

17 If then God gave unto them the like gift as [he did] also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?

Since then, God had given them the very same gift as he gave us when we became believers in Jesus Christ the Master – who was I that I could thwart God?”

18 And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.

On hearing this statement, they said no more, but broke out into praise of God. “So even to the Gentiles,” they exclaimed, “God has granted the repentance which leads to life!”

19 They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.

Now those who had been scattered in different directions, in consequence of the persecution that followed the death of Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message – but only to Jews.

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Some of them, however, who were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, on coming to Antioch, addressed themselves also to the Jews of foreign birth, telling them the good news about that Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

The power of the Lord was with them, so that a great number who had learned to believe came over to the Lord’s side.

22 And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:

The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23 who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:

On coming there he saw to his great joy these tokens of the loving kindness of God, and encouraged them all to make up their minds to be faithful to the Lord –

24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

For Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith – and a large number of people took their stand on the Lord’s side.

25 And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

Afterward Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul;

26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

and, when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And so it came about that, for a whole year, they attended the meetings of the church there, and taught a large number of people; and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’

27 Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

During this time, some prophets came to Antioch from Jerusalem.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.

One of them, named Agabus, came forward and, under the influence of the Spirit, foretold a great famine that was to spread over all the world – a famine which occurred in the reign of Claudius.

29 And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judæa:

So the disciples, without exception, determined, in proportion to their means, to send something to help the followers living in Judea.

30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

And this they did, sending it to the church elders by Barnabas and Saul.