Acts 15
1 Now certain men came down from Judaea, teaching the brothers and saying that without circumcision, after the rule of Moses, there is no salvation.
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 And after Paul and Barnabas had had no little argument and discussion with them, the brothers made a decision to send Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them to the Apostles and the rulers of the church at 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 So they, being sent on their way by the church, went through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving news of the salvation of the Gentiles, to the great joy of 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 when they came to Jerusalem, they had a meeting with the church and the Apostles and the rulers, and they gave an account of all the things which God had done through 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 Pharisees, who were of the faith, got up and said, It is necessary for these to have circumcision and 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 rulers of the church came together and gave thought to the question.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 And when there had been much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, My brothers, you have knowledge that some time back it was God's pleasure that by my mouth the good news might be given to the Gentiles so that they might have faith.
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, the searcher of hearts, was a witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit even as 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 Making no division between them and us, but making clean their hearts by faith.
He doesn't make any distinction between us and them—he cleansed their thoughts as they trusted in him.
10 Why then are you testing God, by putting on the neck of the disciples a yoke so hard that not even our fathers or we were strong enough for it?
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 have faith that we will get salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way as 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 people were quiet while Barnabas and Paul gave an account of the signs and wonders which God had done among the Gentiles by 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 when they had come to an end, James, answering, said, My brothers, give ear to me:
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Symeon has given an account of how God was first pleased to take from among the Gentiles a people for himself.
Simon has described how God first revealed his concern for the foreigners by taking from them a people committed to him.
15 And this is in agreement with the words of the prophets, as it is said,
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 After these things I will come back, and will put up the tent of David which has been broken down, building up again its broken parts and making it complete:
‘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 may make search for the Lord, and all the Gentiles on whom my name is named,
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 For this reason my decision is, that we do not put trouble in the way of those who from among the Gentiles are turned to God;
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, 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 times long past, has his preachers in every town, reading his law 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 rulers and all the church, to send men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas, named 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 And they sent a letter by them, saying, The Apostles and the older brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, may joy be with you:
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 knowledge that some who went from us have been troubling you with their words, putting your souls in doubt; to whom we gave no such order;
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 an agreement together, to send these men to you, with our well loved 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 And so we have sent Judas and Silas, who will say the same things to you themselves, 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 put on you nothing more 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 keep from things offered to false gods, and from blood, and from things put to death in ways which are against the law, and from the evil desires of the body; if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. May you be happy.
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 they, being sent away, came down to Antioch, and having got the people together, they gave them 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 were glad of its comfort.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 And Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, gave teaching to the brothers and made them strong in the faith.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 And when they had been there for some time, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
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 kept on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of God, with a number of others.
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, Let us go back and see the brothers in every town where we have given the word of God, and see 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 had a desire to take with them John, named Mark.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul was of the opinion that it was not right to take with them one who had gone away from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with 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 And there was a sharp argument between them, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and went by ship to Cyprus;
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 But Paul took Silas and went away with the blessing of the brothers.
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, making the churches stronger in the faith.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
