Acts 15
1 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."
有幾個人從猶太下來，教訓弟兄們說：「你們若不按摩西的規條受割禮，不能得救。」
2 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.
保羅、巴拿巴與他們大大地紛爭辯論；眾門徒就定規，叫保羅、巴拿巴和本會中幾個人，為所辯論的，上耶路撒冷去見使徒和長老。
3 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.
於是教會送他們起行。他們經過腓尼基、撒馬利亞，隨處傳說外邦人歸主的事，叫眾弟兄都甚歡喜。
4 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.
到了耶路撒冷，教會和使徒並長老都接待他們，他們就述說上帝同他們所行的一切事。
5 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."
惟有幾個信徒， 是法利賽教門的人，起來說：「必須給外邦人行割禮，吩咐他們遵守摩西的律法。」
6 Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
使徒和長老聚會商議這事；
7 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 "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.
辯論已經多了，彼得就起來，說：「諸位弟兄，你們知道上帝早已在你們中間揀選了我，叫外邦人從我口中得聽福音之道，而且相信。
8 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;
知道人心的上帝也為他們作了見證，賜聖靈給他們，正如給我們一樣；
9 and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.
又藉着信潔淨了他們的心，並不分他們我們。
10 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?
現在為甚麼試探上帝，要把我們祖宗和我們所不能負的軛放在門徒的頸項上呢？
11 On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved."
我們得救乃是因主耶穌的恩，和他們一樣，這是我們所信的。」
12 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.
眾人都默默無聲，聽巴拿巴和保羅述說上帝藉他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟奇事。
13 When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.
他們住了聲，雅各就說：「諸位弟兄，請聽我的話。
14 Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
方才西門述說上帝當初怎樣眷顧外邦人，從他們中間選取百姓歸於自己的名下；
15 And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says:
眾先知的話也與這意思相合。
16 "'"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;
正如經上所寫的： 此後，我要回來， 重新修造大衛倒塌的帳幕， 把那破壞的重新修造建立起來，
17 In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name,"
叫餘剩的人， 就是凡稱為我名下的外邦人， 都尋求主。
這話是從創世以來顯明這事的主說的。 (aiōn g165)
19 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.
「所以據我的意見，不可難為那歸服上帝的外邦人；
20 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.
只要寫信，吩咐他們禁戒偶像的污穢和姦淫，並勒死的牲畜和血。
21 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."
因為從古以來，摩西的書在各城有人傳講，每逢安息日，在會堂裏誦讀。」
22 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,
那時，使徒和長老並全教會定意從他們中間揀選人，差他們和保羅、巴拿巴同往安提阿去；所揀選的就是稱呼巴撒巴的猶大和西拉。這兩個人在弟兄中是作首領的。
23 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.
於是寫信交付他們，內中說：「使徒和作長老的弟兄們問安提阿、敘利亞、基利家外邦眾弟兄的安。
24 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;
我們聽說，有幾個人從我們這裏出去，用言語攪擾你們，惑亂你們的心。其實我們並沒有吩咐他們。
25 we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
所以，我們同心定意，揀選幾個人，差他們同我們所親愛的巴拿巴和保羅往你們那裏去。
26 who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
這二人是為我主耶穌基督的名不顧性命的。
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
我們就差了猶大和西拉，他們也要親口訴說這些事。
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--
因為聖靈和我們定意不將別的重擔放在你們身上，惟有幾件事是不可少的，
29 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."
就是禁戒祭偶像的物和血，並勒死的牲畜和姦淫。這幾件你們若能自己禁戒不犯就好了。願你們平安！」
30 They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.
他們既奉了差遣，就下安提阿去，聚集眾人，交付書信。
31 The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.
眾人念了，因為信上安慰的話就歡喜了。
32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.
猶大和西拉也是先知，就用許多話勸勉弟兄，堅固他們。
33 After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.
住了些日子，弟兄們打發他們平平安安地回到差遣他們的人那裏去。
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message.
但保羅和巴拿巴仍住在安提阿，和許多別人一同教訓人，傳主的道。
36 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!"
過了些日子，保羅對巴拿巴說：「我們可以回到從前宣傳主道的各城，看望弟兄們景況如何。」
37 Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark,
巴拿巴有意要帶稱呼馬可的約翰同去；
38 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.
但保羅因為馬可從前在旁非利亞離開他們，不和他們同去做工，就以為不可帶他去。
39 So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus.
於是二人起了爭論，甚至彼此分開。巴拿巴帶着馬可，坐船往塞浦路斯去；
40 But Paul chose Silas as his travelling companion; and set out, after being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord;
保羅揀選了西拉，也出去，蒙弟兄們把他交於主的恩中。
41 and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches.
他就走遍敘利亞、基利家，堅固眾教會。
