Acts 15
1 And certain having come down from Judea, were teaching the brethren — 'If ye be not circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye are not able to be saved;'
Then some men arrived from Judea who started teaching the believers, “Unless you're circumcised according to the rules set down by Moses, you can't be saved.”
2 there having been, therefore, not a little dissension and disputation to Paul and Barnabas with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, to go up unto the apostles and elders to Jerusalem about this question,
Paul and Barnabas had many arguments and debates with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go to Jerusalem and talk to the apostles and leaders there about this issue.
3 they indeed, then, having been sent forward by the assembly, were passing through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations, and they were causing great joy to all the brethren.
The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they explained how foreigners were being converted, which made all the believers very happy.
4 And having come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, they declared also as many things as God did with them;
When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church members, the apostles, and the elders. They explained everything God had done through them.
5 and there rose up certain of those of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying — 'It behoveth to circumcise them, to command them also to keep the law of Moses.'
But they were opposed by some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee faction. They said, “These converts have to be circumcised, and instructed to observe the law of Moses.”
6 And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 and there having been much disputing, Peter having risen up said unto them, 'Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make choice, through my mouth, for the nations to hear the word of the good news, and to believe;
After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me from among you so that the foreigners could hear the message of good news and trust in Jesus.
8 and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,
God, who knows thewhat we're thinking, has shown that he accepts them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.
9 and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;
He doesn't make any distinction between us and them—he cleansed their thoughts as they trusted in him.
10 now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
So why do you want to oppose God and put a burden on the believers that our fathers weren't able to bear, and we can't either?
11 but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.'
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;
Everyone listened attentively to Barnabas and Paul as they explained the miraculous signs that God had performed through them among the foreigners.
13 and after they are silent, James answered, saying, 'Men, brethren, hearken to me;
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,
Simon has described how God first revealed his concern for the foreigners by taking from them a people committed to him.
15 and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright —
‘In the future I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen house of David; I will rebuild its ruins and set it straight.
17 that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.
I will do this so that those who are left may come to the Lord, including the foreigners who call on my name.
This is what the Lord says, who revealed these things long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;
We should write to them and tell them to avoid food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, meat of animals that have been strangled, and from consuming blood.
21 for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him — in the synagogues every sabbath being read.'
For the law of Moses has been taught in every town for a long, long time—it's read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas — Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren —
Then the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, decided it would be good to choose some representatives and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers,
23 having written through their hand thus: 'The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who [are] of the nations, greeting;
and sent them with this letter: “Greetings from us, the apostles and elders and brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
24 seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,
We have heard that some from our group have confused you with their teachings, causing you trouble. We certainly didn't tell them to do this!
25 it seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul —
So we have agreed to choose some representatives and send them to you together with our much-loved brothers Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ —
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 we have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.
So we are sending to you Judas and Silas who can verbally confirm what we're saying.
28 'For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:
It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any heavier burden than these important requirements.
29 to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'
You should avoid: anything sacrificed to idols; blood; meat from strangled animals; and sexual immorality. You will do well to observe these requirements. God bless you.”
30 They then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,
The men were sent on their way to Antioch. When they arrived they called everybody together and delivered the letter.
31 and they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 and having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
34 and it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.
35 And Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming good news — with many others also — the word of the Lord;
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 and after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, 'Having turned back again, we may look after our brethren, in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord — how they are.'
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit the believers in every town where we shared the word of the Lord, and see how they're doing.”
37 And Barnabas counselled to take with [them] John called Mark,
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;
But Paul didn't think it was a good idea to take him with them, since he'd left them in Pamphylia and hadn't continued working with them.
39 there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 and Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, having been given up to the grace of God by the brethren;
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
