Acts 11

1 And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, 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: Why didst thou go 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 declared to them the matter in order, saying:

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

5 I was in the city of Joppe praying, and I saw in an ecstasy of mind 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 Into which looking, I considered, and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth, and beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air:

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

7 And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter; kill and eat.

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

8 And 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 And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call 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 three times: and all were taken up again into heaven.

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

11 And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea.

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 said to me, that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: 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 an angel in his house, standing, and saying to him: Send to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed 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 to thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, 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 when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as upon us also in 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 that he said: John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

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 them the same grace, as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that 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 Having heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying: God then hath also to the Gentiles given 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 Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose on occasion of Stephen, went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none, but to the Jews only.

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 some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, 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 believing, were converted to 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 tidings came to the ears of the church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent 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, rejoiced: and he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in 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 Ghost and of faith. And a great multitude was added to 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 Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul: whom, when he had found, he brought to Antioch.

Afterwards Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul;

26 And they conversed there in the church a whole year; and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians.

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 And in these days there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch:

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

28 And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the Spirit, that there should be a great famine over the whole world, which came to pass under 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, purposed to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea:

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 ancients, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

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