Acts 15
1 And, certain persons, coming down from Judea, began to teach the brethren—Except ye be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
從猶太下來的幾個人教訓弟兄們說：「若是你們不按梅瑟的慣例行割損，不能得救。」
2 And, when Paul and Barnabas had had no little dissension and discussion with them, it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and certain others from among them should go up unto the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem concerning this question,
保祿和巴爾納伯同他們起了不少的爭執和辯論；大家就指定保祿和巴爾納伯，與他們中的幾個人，上耶路撒冷去見宗徒和長老，討論這問題。
3 They, therefore, being set forward by the Assembly, began passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, fully relating the conversion of them of the nations, and were causing great joy unto all the brethren.
他們由教會送走之後，就路過腓尼基和撒瑪黎雅，沿途敘述外邦人歸化的事，使眾弟兄非常喜歡。
4 And, having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Assembly and the Apostles and the Elders; and they recounted all things God had done with them.
他們到了耶路撒冷，為教會、宗徒和長老所歡迎，就報告了天主偕同他們所行的一切大事。
5 But there [had] stood forth some of those who, from the sect of Pharisees, had believed, saying—It is needful to be circumcising them, also to charge them to be keeping the law of Moses.
卻有幾個信教的法利塞黨人起來說：「必須叫外邦人受割損，又應該命他們遵守梅瑟法律。」
6 And the Apostles and Elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
宗徒和長老們就開會商討此事。
7 And, when much discussion had arisen, Peter standing up, said unto them—Brethren! Ye yourselves, well know that, in days long past, amongst you, God chose that, through my mouth, the nations should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe.
辯論多時之後，伯多祿起來向他們說：「諸位仁人弟兄！你們深知，多時以前，天主就在你們中選定了，要藉我的口，為叫外邦人聽福音的道理而信從。
8 And, the heart-observing God, bare witness, —unto them, giving the Holy Spirit, just as, even unto us;
洞察人心的天主，已為他們作了證，因為賜給了他們聖神，如同賜給了我們一樣；
9 and made no distinction at all betwixt us and them, by their faith, purifying their hearts.
在我們和他們中間沒有作任何區別，因他以信德淨化了他們的心。
10 Now, therefore, why are ye proving God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which, neither our fathers, nor we, have been able to bear.
既然如此，現今你們為什麼試探天主，在門徒的頸項上，放上連我們的祖先和我們自己都不能負荷的軛呢﹖
11 But, through the favour of the Lord Jesus, we believe we shall be saved, in like manner as, even they.
但是，我們信我們得救，是藉著主耶穌的恩寵，正和他們一樣。」
12 And all the throng held their peace, and began to hearken unto Barnabas and Paul relating how many signs and wonders God had done among the nations, through them.
於是眾人都緘默不語，靜聽巴爾納伯和保祿述說天主藉著他們在外邦人中，行了怎樣大的徵兆與奇蹟。
13 And, after they held their peace, James answered, saying—Brethren! hearken unto me.
大家都不出聲之後，雅各伯接著說：「諸位仁人弟兄，請聽我說!
14 Symeon, hath fully told how God, first visited, to take out of the nations, a people for his name.
西滿述說了天主當初怎樣關心外邦人，由他們中選拔一個百姓，屬於自己名下；
15 And, with this, agree the words of the prophets, according as it is written—
先知的話也正與此相合，如經上記載：『
16 After these things, will I return, and will rebuild the tent of David that hath fallen, and, the ruins thereof, will I rebuild, and will set it up again:
以後我要回來，重建達味已傾倒的居所；已坍塌了的，要把它重建而豎立起來，
17 That the residues of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations upon whom my name hath been called, saith the Lord that doeth these things,
為的是其餘的人，即一切以我的名得名的民族，要尋求上主：
19 Wherefore, I, judge, not to be troubling them who, from the nations, are turning unto God;
因此，按我的意見，不要再加給由外邦歸依天主的人煩難，
20 but to write unto them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
只要函告他們戒避偶像的玷污和奸淫，戒食窒死之物和血。
21 For, Moses, out of ancient generation, hath, in every city, them who proclaim him; seeing, that in the synagogues, every sabbath, he is read.
因為自古以來，在各城內都有宣講梅瑟的人，每安息日在會堂中誦讀他的書。」
22 Then, seemed it good unto the Apostles and the Elders with the whole Assembly to send chosen men from among them unto Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, —even Judas who is called Barsabbas, and Silas, men taking a lead among the brethren:
當時，宗徒和長老同全教會決定，從他們中選幾個人，派他們同保祿和巴爾納伯去安提約基雅。所派的，有號稱巴爾撒巴的猶達和息拉，是弟兄中的領導人物。
23 writing through their hand—The Apostles and the Elder Brethren, unto the brethren throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are from among the nations, wish joy!
他們帶去的信如下：「宗徒和長老弟兄們，給在安提約基雅、敘利亞和基里基雅由外邦歸化的弟兄們請安。
24 Inasmuch as we had heard that, certain from among us, had troubled you with words, dismantling your souls, —unto whom we had given no instructions,
我們聽說有幾個從我們這裏去的，而並非我們所派去的人，講話擾亂你們，混亂了你們的心。
25 It seemed good unto us, coming to be of one accord, that we should choose men and send them unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, —
我們取得同意後，決定揀選幾個人，派他們同我們可愛的巴爾納伯和保祿，到你們那裏去。
26 men who have given up their lives in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
此二人為了我們主耶穌基督的名，已付出了自己的性命。
27 We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, who also, themselves, by word of mouth, can tell you the same things.
我們派猶達和息拉去，他們要親口報告同樣的事。
28 For it hath seemed good unto the Holy Spirit and unto us, no greater burden, to be laying upon you, than these necessary things: —
因為聖神和我們決定，不再加給你們什麼重擔，除了這幾項重要的事：
29 To be abstaining from idol sacrifices, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication, —From which, if ye keep yourselves, ye shall prosper. Fare ye well.
即戒食祭邪神之物、血和窒死之物，並戒避奸淫；若你們戒絕了這一切，那就好了。祝你們安好！」
30 They, therefore, being let go, came down unto Antioch; and, having gathered together the throng, delivered the letter,
他們去後，就下到安提約基雅，聚集了眾人，遞上公函。
31 and, when they read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
人們讀了，對這勸慰的話都十分歡喜。
32 And, both Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, with much discourse, consoled and confirmed the brethren.
猶達和息拉，因為他們也是先知，就講了許多話，勸勉堅固弟兄們。
33 And, when they had spent a time, they were let go, in peace, from the brethren, unto them who had sent them.
過了一些時候，弟兄們打發他們帶著請安的話，回到派他們的人那裏。
【但是息拉決意留在那裏，只猶達一人回了耶路撒冷。】
35 But, Paul and Barnabas, tarried in Antioch, teaching and telling the joyful tidings, —along with many others also, —of the word of the Lord.
保祿和巴爾納伯卻留在安提約基雅施教，同別的許多人宣講主的道理。
36 And, after certain days, Paul, said unto Barnabas—Let us now return, and visit the brethren in every city in which we have declared the word of the Lord, and see how they are.
過了些日子，保祿向巴爾納伯說：「我們要回去，視察我們曾講過主道的各城，看看弟兄怎麼樣了。」
37 And, Barnabas, was minded to take with them John also, called Mark;
巴爾納伯願意也帶號稱馬爾谷的若望同去，
38 but Paul deemed it right, as to him who had withdrawn from them, back from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them unto the work, not to be taking with them, this, man.
但保祿認為不應帶他去，因為他從旁非里雅離開他們，沒有同他們一起去工作。
39 And there arose an angry feeling, so that they separated one from the other: and, Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away unto Cyprus, —
二人於是起了爭執，以致彼此分離。巴爾納伯遂帶馬爾谷，乘船往塞浦路斯去了。
40 whereas, Paul, choosing Silas, went forth, committed unto the favour of the Lord by the brethren,
保祿卻揀選了息拉，蒙弟兄們將他託於主的恩寵以後，
41 and proceeded to pass through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.
也起身走了，他走遍了敘利亞和基里基雅，堅固各教會。
