Acts 15
1 And certain ones having come down from Judea were teaching the brethren that, Unless you may be circumcised, according to the custom of Moses, you are not able to 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 And there being no small contention and disputation to Paul and Barnabas against them, they delegated Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning 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 Then indeed they having been sent away by the church, traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they continued to make great joy to all the brethren.
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 arriving into Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and they proclaimed so 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 And certain one of those from the sect of the Pharisees having believed arose up, saying that, 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 elders were convened to see about this problem.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 And there being much disputation, Peter, having arisen, said to them, Men, brethren, you know that from ancient days God chose among you, that the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel through my mouth, 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 And God, who knows the heart, witnessed to them, giving to them the Holy Ghost, 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 made no difference between us and them, purifying 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 tempt ye God, to 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 through the grace of our Lord Jesus, we believe that we are saved, in the same manner in which they are also.
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 And the whole multitude became silent, and continued to hear Barnabas and Paul, relating how many miracles and wonders God wrought 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 became silent, James responded, saying, Men, brethren, hear me.
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Symeon hath related how God in the first place interposed to take a people from the Gentiles, in 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 corresponds the words of the prophet; as has been written,
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 After these things I will return, and will build again the throne of David, which has fallen down; and will build again the ruins of the same, and will set it up again:
‘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 in order that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles, on whom my name has been called upon them, says the Lord, who doeth 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, that we should not burden those from the Gentiles turning to God:
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 but to command them to abstain from things offered to idols, and from fornication, and from strangulation, 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 ancient generations, has those preaching him in every city, 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 seemed good to the apostles and the elders, along with the whole church, to send men chosen from them into Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brethren:
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 having written through their hand; The apostles and elders, brethren to the brethren who are from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia 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 heard that certain ones having come out from us troubled you, disturbing your souls with words which 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 seemed good to us, being of one accord, having chosen men to send them to you along 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 imperiled their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, themselves also proclaiming 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 seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no more 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 offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which keeping yourselves, you will do well. Fare ye well.
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 Then indeed they, having been sent away, came down into Antioch, and convening the multitude, 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 having read it, they rejoiced over the consolation.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 Both Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren with elaborate speech, and strengthened them;
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 and having spent the time, they were discharged by the brethren with peace back to the apostles who sent them.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
35 And Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, also along with many others.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 And after many days Paul said to Barnabas, Having returned let us now visit the brethren in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, 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 But Barnabas advised to take with them John, also called Mark.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul thought that he would not take with them, him who having departed from them from Pamphylia, and not having gone along with them into 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 But there was a paroxysm, so that they parted from one another, and Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away into Cyprus.
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 And Paul, having chosen Silas, went out, committed to the grace of the Lord by the brethren;
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 and he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
