Acts 15
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except all of you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, all of you 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 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders 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 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto 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 when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done 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 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was 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 came together in order to consider of this matter. (logos)
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, all of you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word (logos) of the gospel, 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, which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, (pneuma) even as he did unto 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 put 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 all of you God, to put a yoke upon 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 through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders 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 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of 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 to this agree the words (logos) of the prophets; as it is written,
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
‘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 might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, says the Lord, who does 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 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which 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 write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things 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 of old time has in every city them that 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 pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief 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 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
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 which went out from us have troubled you with words, (logos) subverting your souls, saying, All of you must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
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 unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you 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 that 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, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. (logos)
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, (pneuma) and to us, to lay upon you no greater 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 That all of you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if all of you keep yourselves, all of you shall do well. Fare all of you 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 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
The men were sent on their way to Antioch. When they arrived they called everybody together and delivered the letter.
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, (logos) and confirmed them.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word (logos) of the Lord, with many others also.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word (logos) of the LORD, and see how they do.
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 determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to 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 the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
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, confirming the churches.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
