< Acts 15 >

1 And certain men came down from Judaea, and taught the brethren, that unless ye be circumcised, in accordance with the rite of the law, ye cannot have life.
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 Paul and Barnabas had much trouble and disputation with them. And it resulted, that Paul and Barnabas, and others with them, went up to the legates and Elders at Jerusalem, because of this matter.
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 And the church waited on them, and sent them away; and they travelled through all Phenicia and the territory of the Samaritans, narrating the conversion of the Gentiles, and causing 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 came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the Elders, and by the legates; and they recounted all that God had wrought by 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 And some who from the sect of the Pharisees had believed, rose up and said: It is necessary for you to circumcise them, and to command them 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 legates and Elders assembled, to look into this matter.
Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
7 And when there had been much discussion, Simon arose and said to them: Men, brethren, ye know that, from the earlier days, God chose that from my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and should 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 "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.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 what is in hearts, bore testimony concerning them, and gave the Holy Spirit to them, even 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 he made no distinction between them and us; because he purified their hearts by faith.
and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.
10 And now, why tempt ye God, by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we could 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 we believe, that we as well as they, are to have life by the grace of our Lord Jesus Messiah.
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 the whole assembly were silent, and listened to Paul and Barnabas, who related how God by their hands had wrought signs and prodigies among the Gentiles.
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 ceased, James arose and said: Men, brethren, hearken to me.
When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.
14 Simon hath related to you, how God hath begun to elect a people for his name from among the Gentiles.
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 with this the words of the prophets accord, 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 set up the tabernacle of David that had fallen; and will build that which was in ruins in it, and will raise 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 so that the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is called; saith the Lord, who doth all these things.
In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name,"
18 Known, from of old, are the works of God. (aiōn g165)
Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.' (aiōn g165)
19 Therefore I say to you, let them not crush those who from among the Gentiles have turned unto God.
"My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 But let word be sent to them, that they keep aloof from the defilement of a sacrifice to idols, and from whoredom, and from what is 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 in every city, from former ages, Moses hath heralds in the synagogues, who read him 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 the legates and Elders, with all the church, chose men from among themselves, and sent them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Jude, who was called Barsabas, and Silas, men who were chiefs 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 And they wrote a letter by them, thus: The legates and Elders and brethren, to them that are in Antioch, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, brethren who are from the Gentiles, 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 We have heard, that some have gone from us and disquieted you, by discourses, and have subverted your minds, by saying, That ye must be circumcised and keep the law; things which we have not commanded them.
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 Therefore we all have thought fit, when assembled, to choose and send men to you, with our beloved Paul and Barnabas,
we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Messiah.
who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 And we have sent with them Jude and Silas, that they may tell you the same things orally.
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
28 For it was pleasing to the Holy Spirit, and to us, that there should not be laid upon you any additional burden, besides 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 ye keep aloof from a sacrifice to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom. And if ye keep yourselves from these, ye will do well. Be ye steadfast in the Lord.
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 And they who were sent, came to Antioch, and assembled all the people, and delivered the letter.
They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced and were comforted.
The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.
32 And with abundant discourse they strengthened the brethren; and the associates of Jude and Silas established them, because they also were prophets.
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.
33 And when, they had been there some time, the brethren dismissed them in peace to the legates.
After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.
34 But it was the pleasure of Silas to remain there.
35 Paul also and Barnabas remained at Antioch; and they taught and proclaimed, with many others, the word of God.
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 the brethren in every city, in which we have preached the word of God; and let us see what they are doing.
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 was disposed to take John, who was surnamed Mark.
Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark,
38 But Paul was not willing to take him with them; because he left them when they were in Pamphylia, and went not with them.
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 In, consequence of this strife, they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and they travelled by sea and went 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 chose Silas for his companion, and departed, being commended 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 travelled through Syria, and through Cilicia, and strengthened the churches.
and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches.

< Acts 15 >