Acts 15
1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t 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 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders 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, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.
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 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done 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 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them 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 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and 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 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did 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 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
He doesn't make any distinction between us and them—he cleansed their thoughts as they trusted in him.
10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on 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 we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done 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 After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them 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 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up
‘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 rest of men may seek after the Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does 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 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from 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 generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
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, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
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 They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
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 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;
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 to one accord, to choose out men and send them to 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 risked 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, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
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, to lay no greater burden on you than 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 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”
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 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
The men were sent on their way to Antioch. When they arrived they called everybody together and delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the apostles.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
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 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do 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 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
