Acts 15
1 And certain men, who came down from Judea, taught the brothers, Unless ye will be circumcised in the custom of Moses, ye cannot 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, no small dissension and debate having developed with Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some other men from them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue.
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 Indeed therefore, having been helped for the trip by the congregation, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And 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 And after arriving in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders. And they reported 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 But some of the men who believed from the sect of the Pharisees 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 And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 And when much debate occurred, Peter having risen up, he said to them, Men, brothers, ye know that from past days among us, God chose the Gentiles to hear through my mouth 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 God, who knows the heart, testified to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, just 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 he made not one distinction between both us and them, having purified 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 ye challenge God, to place 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, we believe to be saved, in the same way as those men also.
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 kept silent, and they heard Barnabas and Paul describing how many signs and wonders God did among the Gentiles 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 were quiet, James answered, saying, Men, brothers, hear me.
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon described how God first came to help, to take from the Gentiles 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 the words of the prophets agree, 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, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David that has fallen. And I will rebuild the things of it that have been demolished, and I will restore it,
‘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 so that the rest of men might seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called upon them, says the Lord, who does 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 I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles who are turning 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 idols, and from fornication, and 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 past, has from city to city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues on 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 was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to send men chosen from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading 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 after writing by their hand these things: The apostles, and the elders, and the brothers, to those down in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, to the brothers of the Gentiles, 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 Since we have heard that certain men who went out from us have troubled you with words, disturbing your souls, saying to be circumcised, and to keep the law, to whom we did not command,
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 was decided by us, having become unanimous, to send chosen men 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 given over 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 therefore sent Judas and Silas, themselves also declaring the same things by speech.
So we are sending to you Judas and Silas who can verbally confirm what we're saying.
28 For it was decided by the Holy Spirit, and by us, to lay upon you not one greater burden 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 to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, keeping yourselves from which, ye will 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 Indeed therefore after being dismissed, they came to Antioch, and 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 And after reading it, they rejoiced for the encouragement.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers by much speech, and strengthened them.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 And after spending some time, they were dismissed with 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.
34 [This verse is not in the majority of the Greek manuscripts.]
35 But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching good news, 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 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, After returning, surely we could help our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, how they fare.
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 wanted to take along John called Mark.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul thought it not worthy to bring along this man who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and not having gone 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 Therefore a provocation developed, so as for them to separate from each other, and Barnabas to sail for Cyprus, after taking Mark,
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 but Paul, having selected Silas, went forth after being delivered to the grace of God by the brothers.
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the congregations.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
