Acts 15
1 And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom 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 But when Paul and Barnabas had had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to 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 They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they caused 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 having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they related what great things God had wrought 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 believers of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, 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 the elders came together to consider this matter.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, 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 knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it 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, having purified 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 do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting 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 we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they.
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they related what great signs 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 done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me.
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon hath related how God first visited 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 with this agree 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 I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which hath fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and 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 rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the gentiles, who have been called by my name, saith 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 Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God;
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 but that we should write to them by letter to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from that which hath been 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 from the times of old hath had in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues 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 was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, 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 And they wrote by them, “The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from the gentiles in 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 Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no 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, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to 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 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, who will themselves tell you the same things by word of mouth.
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 and to us, to lay upon you no further burden except 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 meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye will 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 therefore being sent away came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, 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 over the encouragement.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 And when they had remained some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to those who sent them.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
35 But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and publishing, with many others also, the glad tidings of the word of the Lord.
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 to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are.
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, called Mark.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 But Paul did not think it proper to take with them a man who had left them in 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 there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted from each other, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to 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 went forth, having been commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
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.
