Acts 15
1 AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances 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 There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of 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 They therefore being sent on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave 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 Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by 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 up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe 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 Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, 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 is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as 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 betwixt either us or 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 Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing 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 we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 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 Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought 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 Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me:
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon the Gentiles, to take from them 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 in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written,
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 “After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright 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 that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all 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 am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God:
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol sacrifices, and from whoredom, 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 for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.
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 determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men 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 writing a letter by their hand, in these words: The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in 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 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge:
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 hath seemed fit to us, assembled unanimously, to send unto you select men 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 hazarded 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 sent therefore Judas and Silas, and they by word of mouth will tell you the same things.
So we are sending to you Judas and Silas who can verbally confirm what we're saying.
28 For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden except these things which are of absolute necessity;
It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any heavier burden than these important requirements.
29 that ye abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom: from which things carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.
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 They then being thus dispatched, came to Antioch: and assembling 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 when they had read it, they rejoiced in the consolation of it.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 Then Judas and Silas, being also themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren, in many a discourse, and established them.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 And having stayed their time, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to the apostles.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
34 However Silas thought proper to abide there.
35 Paul also and Barnabas abode at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others also, the word of the Lord.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 Then after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Let us now return and visit our brethren in every city among whom we have preached the word of the Lord, that we may see how they hold on.
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 Now Barnabas had resolved to take with him John, whose surname is Mark.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul did not think him a fit person to take with them, who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and no longer went with them to the service.
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 So there grew up a sudden quarrel, insomuch that they separated from each other: and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus:
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 but Paul selecting Silas, departed, being commended by the brethren to the favour of God.
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, confirming the churches.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
