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.
But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Lord’s followers that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom required by Moses, they could not be saved.
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,
This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
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.
The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
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.
On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
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.
Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6 And the Apostles and Elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
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.
After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out – that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
8 And, the heart-observing God, bare witness, —unto them, giving the Holy Spirit, just as, even unto us;
Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9 and made no distinction at all betwixt us and them, by their faith, purifying their hearts.
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
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.
Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
11 But, through the favour of the Lord Jesus, we believe we shall be saved, in like manner as, even they.
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
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.
Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.
13 And, after they held their peace, James answered, saying—Brethren! hearken unto me.
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
14 Symeon, hath fully told how God, first visited, to take out of the nations, a people for his name.
Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.
15 And, with this, agree the words of the prophets, according as it is written—
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
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:
‘After this I will return; and I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen – its ruins I will rebuild, and will set it up once more;
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,
that so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed,
says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 Wherefore, I, judge, not to be troubling them who, from the nations, are turning unto God;
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but to write unto them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.
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.
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
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:
It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.
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!
They were bearers of the following letter – ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
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,
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
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, —
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have given up their lives in behalf of 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 also, themselves, by word of mouth, can tell you the same things.
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
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: —
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
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.
That you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.’
30 They, therefore, being let go, came down unto Antioch; and, having gathered together the throng, delivered the letter,
So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the followers,
31 and, when they read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 And, both Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, with much discourse, consoled and confirmed the brethren.
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 And, when they had spent a time, they were let go, in peace, from the brethren, unto them who had sent them.
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
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.
Paul and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the good news of the Lord’s message.
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.
Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the Lord’s followers in every town in which we have told the Lord’s message, and see how they are prospering.”
37 And, Barnabas, was minded to take with them John also, called Mark;
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
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.
but Paul felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
39 And there arose an angry feeling, so that they separated one from the other: and, Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away unto Cyprus, —
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 whereas, Paul, choosing Silas, went forth, committed unto the favour of the Lord by the brethren,
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 and proceeded to pass through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
