Acts 15
1 Then came downe certaine from Iudea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the maner of Moses, ye cannot be saued.
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 And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordeyned that Paul and Barnabas, and certaine other of them, should goe vp to Hierusalem vnto the Apostles and Elders about this question.
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 Thus being brought forth by ye Church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conuersion of the Gentiles, and they brought great ioy vnto all the brethren.
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 And when they were come to Hierusalem, they were receiued of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.
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 But said they, certaine of the sect of the Pharises, which did beleeue, rose vp, saying, that it was needefull to circumcise them, and to commaund them to keepe the lawe of Moses.
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 Then the Apostles and Elders came together to looke to this matter.
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
7 And when there had bene great disputation, Peter rose vp, and said vnto them, Ye men and brethren, ye know that a good while ago, among vs God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the worde of the Gospel, and beleeue.
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 And God which knoweth the heartes, bare them witnesse, in giuing vnto them ye holy Ghost euen as he did vnto vs.
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 And he put no difference betweene vs and them, after that by faith he had purified their heartes.
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10 Nowe therefore, why tempt ye God, to lay a yoke on the disciples neckes, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to beare?
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 But we beleeue, through the grace of the Lord Iesus Christ to be saued, euen as they doe.
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.’
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signes and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.
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 And when they helde their peace, Iames answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken vnto me.
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. ‘Friends,’ he began, ‘hear what I have to say.
14 Simeon hath declared, howe God first did visite the Gentiles, to take of them a people vnto his Name.
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 And to this agree the woordes of the Prophets, as it is written,
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
16 After this I will returne, and will builde againe the tabernacle of Dauid, which is fallen downe, and the ruines thereof will I build againe, and I will set it vp,
“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 That the residue of men might seeke after the Lord, and all the Gentiles vpon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.
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 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 But that we send vnto them, that they abstaine themselues from filthinesse of idoles, and fornication, and that that is strangled, and from blood.
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 For Moses of olde time hath in euery citie them that preache him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues euery Sabbath day.
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.’
22 Then it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church, to sende chosen men of their owne companie to Antiochia with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Iudas whose surname was Barsabas and Silas, which were chiefe men among the brethren,
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 And wrote letters by them after this maner, THE APOSTLES, and the Elders, and the brethren, vnto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.
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 Forasmuch as we haue heard, that certaine which went out from vs, haue troubled you with wordes, and cumbred your mindes, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keepe the Lawe: to whom we gaue no such commandement,
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
25 It seemed therefore good to vs, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men vnto you, with our beloued Barnabas and Paul,
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that haue giuen vp their liues for the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ.
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27 We haue therefore sent Iudas and Silas, which shall also tell you ye same things by mouth.
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
28 For it seemed good to the holy Ghost, and to vs, to lay no more burden vpon you, then these necessary things,
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
29 That is, that ye abstaine from things offered to idoles, and blood, and that that is strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keepe your selues, ye shall doe well. Fare ye well.
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 Nowe when they were departed, they came to Antiochia, and after that they had assembled the multitude, they deliuered the Epistle.
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 And when they had read it, they reioyced for the consolation.
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 And Iudas and Silas being Prophets, exhorted the brethren with many wordes, and strengthened them.
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 And after they had taried there a space, they were let goe in peace of the brethren vnto the Apostles.
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
34 Notwithstanding Silas thought good to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antiochia, teaching and preaching with many other, the worde of the Lord.
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 But after certaine dayes, Paul said vnto Barnabas, Let vs returne, and visite our brethren in euery citie, where we haue preached the worde of the Lord, and see how they doe.
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 And Barnabas counselled to take with them Iohn, called Marke.
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
38 But Paul thought it not meete to take him vnto their companie, which departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the worke.
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 Then were they so stirred, that they departed asunder one from the other, so that Barnabas tooke Marke, and sailed vnto Cyprus.
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren vnto the grace of God.
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, stablishing the Churches.
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
