Acts 11

1 Nowe the Apostles and the brethren that were in Iudea, heard, that the Gentiles had also receiued the worde 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 vp to Hierusalem, they of the circumcision contended against 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 vncircumcised, and hast eaten with them.

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

4 Then Peter beganne, and expounded the thing in order to them, saying,

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

5 I was in the citie of Ioppa, praying, and in a trance I sawe this vision, A certaine vessell comming downe as it had bene a great sheete, let downe from heauen by the foure corners, and it came to 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 Towarde the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and sawe foure footed beastes of the earth, and wilde beastes, and creeping things, and foules of the heauen.

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

7 Also I heard a voyce, saying vnto me, Arise, Peter: slay and eate.

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

8 And I said, God forbid, Lord: for nothing polluted or vncleane hath at any time entred into my mouth.

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

9 But the voyce answered me the seconde time from heauen, The things that God hath purified, pollute thou not.

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 vp againe into heauen.

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

11 Then behold, immediatly there were three men already come vnto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea vnto 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 saide vnto me, that I should go with them, without doubting: moreouer these sixe brethren came with me, and we entred into the mans 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 shewed vs, howe he had seene an Angel in his house, which stoode and said to him, Send men to Ioppa, and call for 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 He shall speake wordes vnto thee, whereby both thou and all thine house shalbe saued.

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 speake, the holy Ghost fell on them, euen as vpon vs 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 Then I remembred the word of the Lord, howe he said, Iohn baptized with water, but ye shalbe 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 For as much then as God gaue them a like gift, as he did vnto vs, when we beleeued in the Lord Iesus Christ, who was I, that I coulde let 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 When they heard these things, they helde their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles graunted repentance vnto 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 And they which were scattered abroade because of the affliction that arose about Steuen, went throughout till they came vnto Phenice and Cyprus, and Antiochia, preaching the worde to no man, but vnto the Iewes onely.

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 Now some of them were men of Cyprus and of Cyrene, which when they were come into Antiochia, spake vnto the Grecians, and preached the Lord Iesus.

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, so that a great number beleeued and turned vnto 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 Then tydings of those things came vnto the eares of the Church, which was in Hierusalem, and they sent foorth Barnabas, that he should goe vnto Antiochia.

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 seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted all, that with purpose of heart they would 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 faith, and much people ioyned them selues vnto 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 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus to seeke Saul:

Afterward Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul;

26 And when he had founde him, he brought him vnto Antiochia: and it came to passe that a whole yere they were conuersant with ye Church, and taught much people, in so much that the disciples were first called Christians in Antiochia.

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 In those dayes also came Prophets from Hierusalem vnto Antiochia.

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

28 And there stoode vp one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit, that there should be great famine throughout all the world, which also came to passe vnder Claudius Cesar.

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 Then the disciples, euery man according to his ability, purposed to sende succour vnto the brethren which dwelt in Iudea.

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

30 Which thing they also did, and sent 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.