Actuum Apostolorum 15
1 et quidam descendentes de Iudaea docebant fratres quia nisi circumcidamini secundum morem Mosi non potestis salvi fieri
But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Lord’s followers that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom required by Moses, they could not be saved.
2 facta ergo seditione non minima Paulo et Barnabae adversum illos statuerunt ut ascenderent Paulus et Barnabas et quidam alii ex illis ad apostolos et presbyteros in Hierusalem super hac quaestione
This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
3 illi igitur deducti ab ecclesia pertransiebant Foenicen et Samariam narrantes conversionem gentium et faciebant gaudium magnum omnibus fratribus
The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
4 cum autem venissent Hierosolymam suscepti sunt ab ecclesia et ab apostolis et senioribus adnuntiantes quanta Deus fecisset cum illis
On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
5 surrexerunt autem quidam de heresi Pharisaeorum qui crediderant dicentes quia oportet circumcidi eos praecipere quoque servare legem Mosi
Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6 conveneruntque apostoli et seniores videre de verbo hoc
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
7 cum autem magna conquisitio fieret surgens Petrus dixit ad eos viri fratres vos scitis quoniam ab antiquis diebus in nobis elegit Deus per os meum audire gentes verbum evangelii et credere
After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out – that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
8 et qui novit corda Deus testimonium perhibuit dans illis Spiritum Sanctum sicut et nobis
Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9 et nihil discrevit inter nos et illos fide purificans corda eorum
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10 nunc ergo quid temptatis Deum inponere iugum super cervicem discipulorum quod neque patres nostri neque nos portare potuimus
Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
11 sed per gratiam Domini Iesu credimus salvari quemadmodum et illi
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
12 tacuit autem omnis multitudo et audiebant Barnaban et Paulum narrantes quanta fecisset Deus signa et prodigia in gentibus per eos
Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.
13 et postquam tacuerunt respondit Iacobus dicens viri fratres audite me
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
14 Simeon narravit quemadmodum primum Deus visitavit sumere ex gentibus populum nomini suo
Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.
15 et huic concordant verba prophetarum sicut scriptum est
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
16 post haec revertar et aedificabo tabernaculum David quod decidit et diruta eius reaedificabo et erigam illud
‘After this I will return; and I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen – its ruins I will rebuild, and will set it up once more;
17 ut requirant ceteri hominum Dominum et omnes gentes super quas invocatum est nomen meum dicit Dominus faciens haec
that so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed,
says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 propter quod ego iudico non inquietari eos qui ex gentibus convertuntur ad Deum
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 sed scribere ad eos ut abstineant se a contaminationibus simulacrorum et fornicatione et suffocatis et sanguine
but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.
21 Moses enim a temporibus antiquis habet in singulis civitatibus qui eum praedicent in synagogis ubi per omne sabbatum legitur
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 tunc placuit apostolis et senioribus cum omni ecclesia eligere viros ex eis et mittere Antiochiam cum Paulo et Barnaba Iudam qui cognominatur Barsabban et Silam viros primos in fratribus
It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.
23 scribentes per manus eorum apostoli et seniores fratres his qui sunt Antiochiae et Syriae et Ciliciae fratribus ex gentibus salutem
They were bearers of the following letter – ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
24 quoniam audivimus quia quidam ex nobis exeuntes turbaverunt vos verbis evertentes animas vestras quibus non mandavimus
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
25 placuit nobis collectis in unum eligere viros et mittere ad vos cum carissimis nostris Barnaba et Paulo
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 hominibus qui tradiderunt animas suas pro nomine Domini nostri Iesu Christi
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27 misimus ergo Iudam et Silam qui et ipsi vobis verbis referent eadem
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
28 visum est enim Spiritui Sancto et nobis nihil ultra inponere vobis oneris quam haec necessario
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
29 ut abstineatis vos ab immolatis simulacrorum et sanguine suffocato et fornicatione a quibus custodientes vos bene agetis valete
That you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.’
30 illi igitur dimissi descenderunt Antiochiam et congregata multitudine tradiderunt epistulam
So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the followers,
31 quam cum legissent gavisi sunt super consolatione
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 Iudas autem et Silas et ipsi cum essent prophetae verbo plurimo consolati sunt fratres et confirmaverunt
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 facto autem ibi tempore dimissi sunt cum pace a fratribus ad eos qui miserant illos
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
35 Paulus autem et Barnabas demorabantur Antiochiae docentes et evangelizantes cum aliis pluribus verbum Domini
Paul and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the good news of the Lord’s message.
36 post aliquot autem dies dixit ad Barnaban Paulus revertentes visitemus fratres per universas civitates in quibus praedicavimus verbum Domini quomodo se habeant
Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the Lord’s followers in every town in which we have told the Lord’s message, and see how they are prospering.”
37 Barnabas autem volebat secum adsumere et Iohannem qui cognominatur Marcus
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
38 Paulus autem rogabat eum qui discessisset ab eis a Pamphilia et non isset cum eis in opus non debere recipi eum
but Paul felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
39 facta est autem dissensio ita ut discederent ab invicem et Barnabas adsumpto Marco navigaret Cyprum
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 Paulus vero electo Sila profectus est traditus gratiae Domini a fratribus
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 perambulabat autem Syriam et Ciliciam confirmans ecclesias
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
