Acts 15
1 And some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.
But certain persons who had come down from Judaea tried to convince the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved."
2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of the other side, should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem about this question.
Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was no little disagreement and controversy, until at last it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren should go up to consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem on this matter.
3 They therefore being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice, and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
So they set out, being accompanied for a short distance by some other members of the Church; and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of the conversion of the Gentiles and inspired all the brethren with great joy.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them.
Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were cordially received by the Church, the Apostles, and the Elders; and they reported in detail all that God, working with them, had done.
5 But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.
But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees but were now believers, stood up in the assembly, and said, "Yes, Gentile believers ought to be circumcised and be ordered to keep the Law of Moses."
6 And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.
Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know, that in former days God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
and after there had been a long discussion Peter rose to his feet. "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.
8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;
And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.
10 Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?
11 But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.
On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved."
12 And all the multitude held their peace; and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.
When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.
14 Simon hath related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:
And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says:
16 After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set it up:
"'"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;
17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.
In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name,"
Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.' (aiōn g165)
19 For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.
"My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.
For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town, being read, as he is, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the various synagogues."
22 Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, were selected,
23 Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.
and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment:
As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us;
25 It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul:
we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
28 For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--
29 That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.
You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell."
30 They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.
They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.
32 But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them.
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.
33 And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with peace by the brethren, unto them that had sent them.
After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.
34 But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there; and Judas alone departed to Jerusalem.
35 And Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others, the word of the Lord.
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message.
36 And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas: Let us return and visit our brethren in all the cities wherein we have preached the word of the Lord, to see how they do.
After a while Paul said to Barnabas, "Suppose we now revisit the brethren in the various towns in which we have made known the Lord's Message--to see whether they are prospering!"
37 And Barnabas would have taken with them John also, that was surnamed Mark;
Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark,
38 But Paul desired that he (as having departed from them out of Pamphylia, and not gone with them to the work) might not be received.
while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.
39 And there arose a dissension, so that they departed one from another; and Barnabas indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus.
So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus.
40 But Paul choosing Silas, departed, being delivered by the brethren to the grace of God.
But Paul chose Silas as his travelling companion; and set out, after being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord;
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and the ancients.
and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches.
