Acts 15
1 And certain ones, descending from Judea, were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
And certain men came down from Judaea, and taught the brethren, that unless ye be circumcised, in accordance with the rite of the law, ye cannot have life.
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas made no small uprising against them, they decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some from the opposing side, should go up to the Apostles and priests in Jerusalem concerning this question.
And Paul and Barnabas had much trouble and disputation with them. And it resulted, that Paul and Barnabas, and others with them, went up to the legates and Elders at Jerusalem, because of this matter.
3 Therefore, being led by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy among all the brothers.
And the church waited on them, and sent them away; and they travelled through all Phenicia and the territory of the Samaritans, narrating the conversion of the Gentiles, and causing great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the Apostles and the elders, reporting what great things God had done with them.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the Elders, and by the legates; and they recounted all that God had wrought by them.
5 But some from the sect of the Pharisees, those who were believers, rose up saying, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and to be instructed to keep the Law of Moses.”
And some who from the sect of the Pharisees had believed, rose up and said: It is necessary for you to circumcise them, and to command them to observe the law of Moses.
6 And the Apostles and elders came together to take care of this matter.
And the legates and Elders assembled, to look into this matter.
7 And after a great contention had taken place, Peter rose up and said to them: “Noble brothers, you know that, in recent days, God has chosen from among us, by my mouth, Gentiles to hear the word of the Gospel and to believe.
And when there had been much discussion, Simon arose and said to them: Men, brethren, ye know that, from the earlier days, God chose that from my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and should believe.
8 And God, who knows hearts, offered testimony, by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as to us.
And God, who knoweth what is in hearts, bore testimony concerning them, and gave the Holy Spirit to them, even as to us.
9 And he distinguished nothing between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
And he made no distinction between them and us; because he purified their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you tempt God to impose a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
And now, why tempt ye God, by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we could bear?
11 But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in order to be saved, in the same manner also as them.”
But we believe, that we as well as they, are to have life by the grace of our Lord Jesus Messiah.
12 Then the entire multitude was silent. And they were listening to Barnabas and Paul, describing what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
And the whole assembly were silent, and listened to Paul and Barnabas, who related how God by their hands had wrought signs and prodigies among the Gentiles.
13 And after they had been silent, James responded by saying: “Noble brothers, listen to me.
And after they ceased, James arose and said: Men, brethren, hearken to me.
14 Simon has explained in what manner God first visited, so as to take from the Gentiles a people to his name.
Simon hath related to you, how God hath begun to elect a people for his name from among the Gentiles.
15 And the words of the Prophets are in agreement with this, just as it was written:
And with this the words of the prophets accord, as it is written:
16 ‘After these things, I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. And I will rebuild its ruins, and I will raise it up,
After these things I will return, and will set up the tabernacle of David that had fallen; and will build that which was in ruins in it, and will raise it up:
17 so that the rest of men may seek the Lord, along with all the nations over whom my name has been invoked, says the Lord, who does these things.’
so that the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is called; saith the Lord, who doth all these things.
Known, from of old, are the works of God. (aiōn g165)
19 Because of this, I judge that those who were converted to God from among the Gentiles are not to be disturbed,
Therefore I say to you, let them not crush those who from among the Gentiles have turned unto God.
20 but instead that we write to them, that they should keep themselves from the defilement of idols, and from fornication, and from whatever has been suffocated, and from blood.
But let word be sent to them, that they keep aloof from the defilement of a sacrifice to idols, and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses, from ancient times, has had in each city those who preach him in the synagogues, where he is read on every Sabbath.”
For in every city, from former ages, Moses hath heralds in the synagogues, who read him every sabbath.
22 Then it pleased the Apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to choose men from among them, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, and Judas, who was surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, preeminent men among the brothers,
Then the legates and Elders, with all the church, chose men from among themselves, and sent them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Jude, who was called Barsabas, and Silas, men who were chiefs among the brethren.
23 what was written by their own hands: “The Apostles and elders, brothers, to those who are at Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, brothers from the Gentiles, greetings.
And they wrote a letter by them, thus: The legates and Elders and brethren, to them that are in Antioch, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, brethren who are from the Gentiles, greeting:
24 Since we have heard that some, going out from among us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no commandment,
We have heard, that some have gone from us and disquieted you, by discourses, and have subverted your minds, by saying, That ye must be circumcised and keep the law; things which we have not commanded them.
25 it pleased us, being assembled as one, to choose men and to send them to you, with our most beloved Barnabas and Paul:
Therefore we all have thought fit, when assembled, to choose and send men to you, with our beloved Paul and Barnabas,
26 men who have handed over their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Messiah.
27 Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, with the spoken word, reaffirm to you the same things.
And we have sent with them Jude and Silas, that they may tell you the same things orally.
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose no further burden upon you, other than these necessary things:
For it was pleasing to the Holy Spirit, and to us, that there should not be laid upon you any additional burden, besides these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things immolated to idols, and from blood, and from what has been suffocated, and from fornication. You will do well to keep yourselves from these things. Farewell.”
that ye keep aloof from a sacrifice to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom. And if ye keep yourselves from these, ye will do well. Be ye steadfast in the Lord.
30 And so, having been dismissed, they went down to Antioch. And gathering the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
And they who were sent, came to Antioch, and assembled all the people, and delivered the letter.
31 And when they had read it, they were gladdened by this consolation.
And when they had read it, they rejoiced and were comforted.
32 But Judas and Silas, being also prophets themselves, consoled the brothers with many words, and they were strengthened.
And with abundant discourse they strengthened the brethren; and the associates of Jude and Silas established them, because they also were prophets.
33 Then, after spending some more time there, they were dismissed with peace, by the brothers, to those who had sent them.
And when, they had been there some time, the brethren dismissed them in peace to the legates.
34 But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. So Judas alone departed to Jerusalem.
But it was the pleasure of Silas to remain there.
35 And Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, with many others, teaching and evangelizing the Word of the Lord.
Paul also and Barnabas remained at Antioch; and they taught and proclaimed, with many others, the word of God.
36 Then, after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return to visit the brothers throughout all the cities in which we have preached the Word of the Lord, to see how they are.”
And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas: Let us return, and visit the brethren in every city, in which we have preached the word of God; and let us see what they are doing.
37 And Barnabas wanted to take John, who was surnamed Mark, with them also.
And Barnabas was disposed to take John, who was surnamed Mark.
38 But Paul was saying that he ought not to be received, since he withdrew from them at Pamphylia, and he had not gone with them in the work.
But Paul was not willing to take him with them; because he left them when they were in Pamphylia, and went not with them.
39 And there occurred a dissension, to such an extent that they departed from one another. And Barnabas, indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus.
In, consequence of this strife, they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and they travelled by sea and went to Cyprus.
40 Yet truly, Paul, choosing Silas, set out, being delivered by the brothers to the grace of God.
But Paul chose Silas for his companion, and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches, instructing them to keep the precepts of the Apostles and the elders.
And he travelled through Syria, and through Cilicia, and strengthened the churches.
